Gardner City Council votes to give utility residential customers free month of electricity

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(Taken from March 31st City of Gardner Social Media Post)

During last night’s special meeting held by the Gardner City Council, councilmembers voted to eliminate the electric charges that were billed in March for residential customers and credit commercial customers for the use of their first 5000 KW/h of electricity. The city initially changed its rate structure for electric services at the start of the year, which already gave more than 82 percent of its customers a two percent reduction.

“We know we have residents who are financially struggling with bills and other obligations due to the impacts of COVID-19,” said Gardner Mayor Steve Shute. “We are fortunate that we own our utilities, so we can authorize these changes and provide this much welcome relief for all in our community while they wait for federal government assistance.”

Eliminating a month’s worth of billing expenses to residential customers and covering up to 5000KW/h of electricity for businesses will cost the city approximately $790,000 in lost revenue.

“Our city has a robust electric fund that can absorb this loss of revenue, and we’ve purposely kept it strong to address any unforeseen issues that may impact our electric service,” Shute said. “While we’re not using this money to pay for an infrastructure upgrade or replacement project, we are doing whatever we can to help our residents and businesses get through this unforeseen pandemic. This is a time we have to take care of one another and that should start with leadership.”

Residential and commercial customers will automatically receive an adjustment for their March billed electric charges.

This is exactly what #CommunityPowered is all about!

City of Jetmore gets creative with Covid-19 Economic Support!

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(Taken from March 26th City of Jetmore Social Media Post)

City of Jetmore Implements Local Economic Shot in the Arm:

In light of the current Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic difficulties many are experiencing, the City of Jetmore is mailing out today to all utility customers, coupons for purchase of goods and services from businesses within the city limits of Jetmore. Each utility customer will receive 2-$10 coupons. Though they are valid for use at any Jetmore business, it is our hope that they will be used in particular at those businesses most affected by the social distancing recommendation and state mandated group size limitations. Coupons not valid for payment of city utility bills nor tax bills with the county. Minimum purchase is for the face value of the coupon—no change is to be given by businesses to coupon users.

Each coupon is numbered and there are spaces for the user to write his or her name and the date on the coupon when redeeming. Businesses will submit collected coupons to the city for payment at the time of the May council meeting on May 7.

If all coupons are redeemed and submitted to the city for payment, the result will be an $8,460 contribution to the local economy. So have a meal on us, or a drink, or a roll or two of toilet paper.

Way to think outside of the box!  Jetmore!!

 

CITY OF GARDEN CITY RECOGNIZED AS A “PLATINUM” LEVEL RELIABLE PUBLIC POWER PROVIDER!

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The City of Garden City Electrical Department has earned a Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3)®  Platinum designation from the American Public Power Association for providing reliable and safe electric service. Three years ago Garden City was recognized with a gold designation, and now has moved into a higher level of recognition.

The RP3 designation, which lasts for three years, recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement. Criteria include sound business practices and a utility-wide commitment to safe and reliable delivery of electricity. Garden City joins more than 275 public power utilities nationwide that hold the RP3 designation.

“Receiving an RP3 designation is a great honor and demonstrates a utility’s commitment to implementing industry best practices in utility operations,” says Aaron Haderle, Chair of the Association’s RP3 Review Panel and Manager of Transmission and Distribution Operations at ‎Kissimmee Utility Authority, Florida. “RP3 utilities are consistently looking to improve their workforce, system reliability, and safety to serve their communities better.”

“This is a great honor,” said Mike Muirhead, Public Utilities Director for the City of Garden City “We take a lot of pride in the work we do to power our community. It’s nice to be recognized as among the ‘best of the best’ on a national level.”

This year we celebrate 30 years of Joint Action towards reliable and cost effective gas for KMGA Members! 

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Comments from Gil Hanson on The Progress of Gas Joint Action in KS 1989 (2)

 

Now Hiring – Journey Level Lineman / KMEA

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Natural Gas Utility Workers’ Day: March 18

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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

2020_Natural_Gas_Utility_Workers_Day_Op_Ed_

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

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

 

 

City of Cawker City is Hiring Full-Time Utility Employee!

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The City of Cawker City is seeking a full-time employee who has experience with water and sewer systems, and electrical service, or the ability and desire to become skilled and certified in some or all of these areas. Wage scale is based on experience. Benefits include Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance, KPERS retirement, sick leave, vacation, and paid holidays. The City of Cawker City is an equal opportunity employer. We are located in north central Kansas, on the shores of beautiful Waconda Lake, in an area that draws hunters, fishermen, and tourists from every corner of the U.S.   A friendly and family-oriented community, we are the home of the Lakeside Knights, USD 272, an award-winning school district. Applications will be accepted until April 1, 2020, and can be downloaded by following the included link, from our website or by calling or visiting the City office.  Cawker City Employment Application

40 Years! Newsletter #2 May 30, 1980

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