(KLZA)-- It was an expensive night for the Falls City Council members Monday. Unanimous approval was given to the expenditure of nearly a million dollars worth of engineering services and equipment recommended by the Board of Public Works.
Late last year the Council approved the purchase of an additional engine to generate electricity at the Power Plant. The came with a price tag estimated at just over 11-million dollars. Monday night the Council approved a contract for engineering services with Lutz, Daily & Brain at a cost of $993,900. Third Ward Councilman Jon Vaughn who was not on the Council when the decision was made suggested it was a high cost when the City purchases power daily and does not generate it’s own power very often.
Utility Superintendent Alan Romine explained it would cost $10-million for the City to have OPPD improve the power line that serves Falls City, and that if the line goes down, we are at the end of the line and likely the last to get power back. It was also noted that about two years ago when the line did go down, one of the City generators broke down leading to rolling blackouts in the community. It was also explained the feeling was the City would be better off investing in something the City would own, rather than spending money on someone else’s equipment.
The next item on the agenda came with a price tag of $45,989 for a new comminutor for the Waste Water Treatment Plant. This is a large grinder. Everything coming into the plant goes through the comminutor first and is ground up. The current piece of equipment is nearly 10 years old. The company that made it sold out and repair parts are hard to come by. Romine said if you could find the needed repairs, it would cost in excess of $30,000 to fix the old piece of equipment.
City Clerk Gary Jorn said since going on-line the waste water treatment plant has not cost much in maintenance and with this purchase he expects another decade of low maintenance operation.
Mayor Jerry Oliver was granted authority to sign a certificate of participation and disclosure agreement between the City and Omaha Public Power District. This is required so OPPD can re-issue bonds for the Nebraska City 2, the coal fired power plant that Falls City invested in several years ago.
© Many Signals Communications
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Three former Atchison Co employees arrested on felonies
Fentanyl find nets four in two Atchison cases
Services set for Effingham woman killed in crash
Barricaded fugitive arrested in Jackson County
Four injured in Richardson Co rollover crash
St. Joseph teacher arrested for student sex crimes
Support sought for fire ravaged family
Fatal Atchison apt fire investigation continues
USD 415 board select new member
Ozawkie man facing multiple child sex charges
U.S. 36 work in Doniphan Co to impact motorists
Wanted felon arrested in Hiawatha
Results from SE Nebraska contested Primary Elections
Armed felon found, arrested, in Jackson Co
Date set for signals switch at Hiawatha intersection
State Board approves land transfer agreements
4th candidate files for local KS House seat
Public health advisory issued for local lake
LATEST STORIES
Blue Rapids named site for KS Sampler “ pop-up” event
Sabetha man arrested on drug charges
Wanted felon arrested in Hiawatha
St. Joseph teacher arrested for student sex crimes
Jefferson Co readies for Co Fair season
MO man injured in KS weather-related crash
Ozawkie man facing multiple child sex charges
4th candidate files for local KS House seat
RELATED STORIES
City and County to discuss combined dispatch center
Waterfall project approved by Falls City Council
Falls City Council denies truck parking request
Falls City Council organizes for 2020
Falls City making progress on nuisance properties
Neighbors bring complaints to City Council
Falls City Council updated on park projects
Falls City utility rate increases gain first round approval