Council OKs up to $12,000 from city for backup transformer to protect elevator service

Plankinton’s City Council voted to authorize a city contribution of up to $12,000 for a backup transformer to protect the town’s elevator service. The vote followed a presentation by public-works staff on electrical options and cost estimates.

Staff member (Public Works) told the council that a full new-service install would cost an estimated $60,878.39 and that a dedicated backup transformer—depending on the configuration—would cost roughly $7,700 to $10,147. “I was recommending $100 per hour for all of our equipment,” the staff member said, describing a proposal to standardize equipment rates and to set consistent labor charges for future insurance or reimbursement claims. He said labor costs in regular hours would likely be in the $70–$80 range and that after-hours rates would be higher.

Council members discussed whether the city should pay the full cost of creating a new service or instead offer cost-sharing so the elevator operator would carry the bulk of any upgrade beyond a simple backup transformer. After questions and clarification from staff and council, a motion to authorize a city contribution not to exceed $12,000 for a backup transformer — with any additional work or a full new service to be paid by the elevator owner — passed.

The motion was recorded in the meeting as coming from Jim with Nathan seconding; the motion carried. Staff said it will draw up a resolution and return a final proposal to the council in May, including precise billing rates and any contract language needed to invoice insurance or third parties.

What happens next: staff will prepare a draft resolution implementing the equipment-rate policy and documenting the city’s $12,000 cap for the backup transformer; the council will consider the resolution at the May meeting.