Archive for category: General Information

This annual nationwide event is intended to build public awareness about the hard work done by the employees of natural gas utilities. On this day, we will also educate residents on the environmental, safety and cost benefits of using clean, reliable and affordable natural gas. Our customers recognize the need to access reliable, affordable, safe energy and depend on the service of natural gas utility employees for that need.

Please see the attached sample Op Ed and Press Release if you would like to recognize your gas utility workers.

Gas_Utility_Workers_Day_Press_Release_2020

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You can also follow this link to the APGA website for additional info.

https://www.apga.org/events/naturalgasutilityworkersday

Augusta, KS – Salary: Up to $83k, DOQ – competitive benefit package – Population: 9,389 – Form of Government: Mayor-Council-City Manager

The Director of Utilities is a professional position that oversees the operations of the electrical generation and distribution, water treatment and distribution, wastewater treatment and collections divisions. Work involves planning, directing, and coordinating the activities of different utility divisions through their respective superintendents.  The Director of Utilities exercises considerable independent judgment and has supervisory responsibility over all department personnel. The Director of Utilities serves as city representative on various boards and organizations related to public utilities.  The Director of Utilities is responsible for ensuring that all policies and directives from the City Council and City Manager are implemented, ensuring that utilities sustain regulatory compliance, and any other duties as assigned.

Interested applicants can view a complete job description and submit an application (including resume & cover letter, if so inclined) by CLICKING HERE or going to www.augustaks.org. Applications accepted until position is

Looking toward a bountiful harvest in 2020

As we reflect on activities during the past year, a quote from Novelist Robert Louis Stevenson comes to mind – “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant”.

Some years are “harvest” years full of significant events (i.e., 24/7 in-house operations startup, purchase of ownership interest in the Dogwood power plant, wind energy purchase power contract, etc.), while other years are spent planting the seed for future years. 2019 could be couched as a planting year.

In early 2019, the KMEA/KMGA Strategic Plan was finalized providing the seeds for the future harvest of your two agencies. The comprehensive plan focuses on three areas of focus – strategic growth, communications/identity, and organization. The two Executive Committees worked with and directed the KMEA staff during the 2^nd half of 2019 on planting the seeds on many of the goals and objectives in the Strategic Plan.

Much time and effort has been focused on strategic growth and, in particular, growth of member services. The seeds that have been planted in 2019 include:

• In June 2019, we hired Darren Prince to fill the position of Manager of Regulatory & Rates. We now have the expertise and resources to provide assistance regarding cost-of-service and rate design work for our members.
• During 2019, seven cities made decisions to leave their long-term power supply providers and move their power supply needs and energy management to one of our Energy Management Projects (EMP’s). Six cities will join the EMP3 group on June 1, 2020 and another city signed on to join the EMP2 group once their existing power supply arrangement ends in 2021. Thanks to the efforts of Neal who was able to identify competitive options and creative financial incentives for these cities.
• Much time and effort has been focused on a large need for many of our members – electric distribution line maintenance. President Mike Muirhead established a new committee (KMEA Advisory Committee) with the specific task to work on finding solutions to this huge need. This committee has met several times and is currently developing a plan for western part of the State which we believe will get kicked off in 2020. Efforts in other parts of the State are ongoing as well.
• Another area of focus has been on project management and engineering services. This has been a growing area for KMEA. Sam has been doing an amazing job with assisting various member with project management for both transmission/substation projects as well as generation projects. Just this month, the KMEA Executive Committee approved a non-binding letter of intent with Mid-States Energy Works to have KMEA acquire the assets of Mid-States. If this moves forward, we will be able to expand these project management services as well as add engineering and construction services to our portfolio for our members.
• For KMGA, we have signed up over 20 members for a natural gas prepaid program which will provide significant savings if, and when, that program moves forward in 2020.
• In addition, Dixie has worked with our members on forming regional OQ planning groups. These groups are now ready to move on to coordinated OQ training.

We did have a harvest in 2019 in a lot of ways. John has spearheaded a new area of revenue for our EMP cities and transmission service cities with our ARR/TCR optimization effort. This has brought in over $500,000 “new” revenue for these members. We successfully brought on Mankato and Cimarron into our EMP2 group with a seamless transition through the efforts of all our staff.  Thanks to the efforts of Gerry S. and Dixie, KMGA added 3 additional members (Beloit, Garden City and Jamestown) to our agency. In addition, due to positive financial results, we were able to lower our dues and management fees for our gas cities.

We would like to thank the entire membership for all the trust and support that you have provided us over the past year and we hope the seeds planted this past year will provide for a bountiful 2020 harvest!

Paul Mahlberg,

General Manager

The City of Argonia is looking for an individual who possesses the skills needed to lead the maintenance department as the Maintenance Supervisor. The essential functions for this position is monitoring the operation, maintenance and repairs of the natural gas system, wastewater system, water system, parks, streets, airport and cemetery. This will also include but not limited to meter reading for gas and water and maintain city equipment. The successful applicant will also be able to establish priorities on job assignments, completes necessary paperwork required by local, state and federal guidelines regulating the operation of the gas, water and wastewater treatment facilities. This employee shall earn and maintain state certifications as listed at the time of employment. Salary to be determined upon qualifications. Employee must be able to pass a drug screen. This position is applicable to FLSA and ADA. Applications can be obtained by contacting City Hall at 620-435-6417 or in person at 210 S. Main, Argonia, Ks. Applications can also be found on the city website www.cityofargonia.com under the employment opportunities section. Applications can also be emailed to Tara Pierce, City Clerk at argonia@sutv.com.