The strategic plan update highlighted MPW’s success in securing an impressive $4.25 million in grant dollars for infrastructure upgrades and equipment replacement. The grant dollars will not only help MPW address current system vulnerabilities but will allow the Utility to adopt advanced technologies, enhancing efforts to fortify assets against potential power disruptions.
“Securing these grants has been a tremendous achievement for MPW and is a testament to our team’s forward-thinking plans to invest in Utility infrastructure,” shared General Manager, Gage Huston. “The funding will help us to maximize dollars in modernizing our systems and will go a long way in strengthening MPW’s power transmission and distribution network to ensure the consistent delivery of power customers depend on.”
Also included in the grant dollars is funding to support MPW’s fiber service area expansion. Currently, the expansion projects – NOFA #006 and NOFA #007 – are in progress and target areas of Iowa classified as unserved or underserved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for broadband service.
While some projects are already underway, the bulk of the work will start in 2025 and will be completed in the coming years.
Other updates included the Utility’s response to feedback provided by a customer survey completed in November 2023. Focus group participants are currently being solicited to gain in-depth insight into customer experiences and perspectives. Customers interested in participating are encouraged to contact the Utility by emailing mpwsurvey@mpw.org.
The Trustees and senior leadership welcomed a new member to the Utility Board, Tammi Drawbaugh. Drawbaugh was confirmed by the Muscatine City Council to fill the position previously held by Tracy McGinnis. Huston said “Tammi brings a unique set of skills and insights that align with the Utility’s strategic goals. We are confident her leadership and expertise will greatly benefit MPW as we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of the utility industry.”
Huston thanked and commended McGinnis for her time serving on the board. “Over the last 12 years, Tracy played a pivotal role as MPW undertook several significant projects and initiatives, and always represented the best interests of customers. We all wish Tracy the best in her future endeavors and thank her for her contributions.”
A partnership between the City of Muscatine, the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and the Utility will provide new holiday lighting and decorations for the downtown area this season. The new decorations will replace the pole-mounted wreaths placed along several downtown streets each year. Purchased in the mid-1980s, the wreaths’ colors are fading, and the wiring is deteriorating. Although the wreaths have been repaired multiple times, the decision was made to update and replace the decorations.
The partnership is consistent with past arrangements to share the cost of new holiday decorations. Half of the new decoration costs will be paid by MPW with the remaining half split between the City and the Chamber. The total cost of the decorations is $23,961.
Like three of previous five months this year, June Electric Utility net income was significantly favorable to budget. Electric Utility net income was $1.7 million favorable in June and $4.8 million favorable for the year-to-date. As a result of the Electric Utility performance, MPW net income of $0.6 million was $1.6 million favorable in June, with the Water Utility being $153,000 unfavorable to budget primarily due to timing and the Communications Utility being $49,000 favorable. For the year through June, the Water Utility was $0.4 million favorable and the Communications Utility was $0.5 million favorable.
In other business, the Trustees:
- Ratified payment of June 2024 expenditures and transactions totaling $9,245,044.
- Set Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 3:28pm for public hearing to receive comments from the public on MPW’s Annual MISO Transmission Rate Update.
- Approved the revised/updated 2024 Board Policy Manual.