Huntingburg Utilities Stand Up To Snowstorm

With snow still bringing most of the city to a halt, it was business as usual for the Huntingburg Common Council and Utility Board on Tuesday night. 

Preventative maintenance and planning ahead paid dividends during this week’s storm, as Energy Superintendent John Reutepohler reported no power outages. The Council approved a 3-year, $17,553 service agreement for a SCADA system alert system, which provides real-time electrical system monitoring and sends alerts if a circuit goes down. In 2025, the department had 3,125 utility locate requests through 811. Fewer new service connections are expected in 2026 since there are no new developments. A $31,000 quote was accepted for a 3-phase transformer to support an expansion on Phoenix Drive. 

In his report, Water Superintendent Jerry Austin said crews recently repaired water main breaks at East 2 nd and on 5 th Street from Walnut to Geiger, and another on Old State 231 just hours before the snowstorm. 4 fire hydrants that drain slowly or are difficult to turn will need to be replaced, and the metering system installation is almost complete. At the filter plant, repairs were made to Filter 5, which was losing water at a rate of approximately 10 gallons per hour. The leaks were repaired, and a preventative coating will be added to extend its lifespan. 
 
The department is collecting data on the GIS system, upgrading the previous paper map system to get mapping as robust as possible. The year-end inventory was completed for 2025, and staff attended AWWA water conference in French Lick. All 3 water towers have been inspected, which is mandatory every 3 years. 

The Council approved Amendment 2026-04 for the 2026 Park and Rec Fees Ordinance. There were several small changes, beginning with art department fees and the inclusion of a small damage deposit. New rental policies also reflected the addition of the Senior Center. One notable change will revert to controlled access for the dog park. The electronic locking system will be repaired, with a key card needed for entry. Registration will be required, with proof of vaccination. Complaints of vicious dogs have risen, particularly from older visitors who feel unable to control the dogs of other guests. 

In other business, the high bid of $2,723 was accepted for the sale of van #76. The Council adopted Ordinances Authorizing a Fire Protection Contract for Patoka Township and a Recreation Services Contract with Patoka Township. The 2025 Utilities write-ff was approved for $9,927.40. Eric Olinger was also appointed to another 4-year term on the Huntingburg Economic Development Commission. Mayor Elkins and the board thanked city employees for their hard work over the last several days, where they put in a lot of extra hours over the weekend to keep everyone safe. 

For more information on these and other updates, visit www.huntingburg-in.gov


 - By Drew Hasselbring