BY LUCIE KRISMAN
The Eudora City Commission received estimated costs for future electrical system improvements during its Monday meeting.
The presentation was given by Sawvel & Associates representative Don Gruenemeyer, who was authorized earlier this year to conduct a study.
Gruenemeyer reported that the electric feeders in Eudora have adequate capacity to serve the existing customers in Eudora and facilities are generally in good condition.
The report listed improvements that need to be made between now and 2034. Priorities include equipment in Intech Business Park that has experienced failure and underground cables in Winchester and Hunter's Ridge residential subdivisions.
Costs for 2019 improvements are an estimated total of $1.2 million and costs by 2034 are at an estimated total of $1.9 million.
How these costs affect electric rates will be determined at a later time after results from a separate study on rates are presented to the City Commission, Public Works Director Branden Boyd said.
“We will meet and make a determination on if rates will increase or if there are ways to minimize or potentially decrease,” Boyd said.
Gruenemeyer said planning for costs long-term can help the city plan for future electric rates.
"Borrowing and spreading that out over a number of years that’s closer to the expected life of that equipment is actually fair to the customer instead of trying to have that customer pay for it today," Gruenemeyer said. "It will also keep your electric rates down."
City Manager Barack Matite said the results of this report and knowing the costs of the improvements that need to be made on electric systems in Eudora will fit into the city’s Capital Improvement Plan and will help city staff determine how electric fits into future budgets.
"Having this makes our conversation every year when we get to the budget easier," he said.
Boyd said the city of Eudora has already planned for some parts of the plan in this report.
"Some of this 2020 stuff we've already budgeted for," Boyd said. "We're actually in much better shape here than with the rest of it."
For additional information about the report that was presented to the Commission, visit the
city of Eudora's website.
Reach reporter Lucie Krisman at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
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