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Upgrades and Infrastructure Planning Highlight Jasper Utility Service Board Meeting
Steady advancement continued at the Jasper Utility Service Board meeting, with key approvals
for infrastructure upgrades.
A bid from Universal Design Engineering was accepted for the design and engineering of the
new Electric Department building. The board also approved a request for on-site support from
Cloudpoint, the utility’s mapping system vendor. Two technicians were authorized to assist with
the mapping project, pending a legal review.
Electric Utility Manager Stan Seifert provided an update on the Northwest Substation project,
which is proceeding on schedule. A CenterPoint engineer will not be available until June, but
staff are preparing to be ready when one arrives. Due to increased lead times, the board
approved a request to purchase Siemens breakers to replace oil filled breakers in two
substations. They also authorized the department to begin an internal hiring process for a
Distribution Superintendent and to backfill the open position this will create. The hiring process
will also begin for a Facilities Maintenance Technician, as Jim Scherle will retire in April.
Craig McGowan of Commonwealth Engineers presented a proposal for a Water Lead Service
Line preliminary engineering report (PER) for $30,000. Their PER will evaluate lead service line
inventory and compliance with EPA and SRF requirements. It will include inventory evaluation,
plan for replacements, cost estimates, and will help prepare the SRF funding application (which
has a deadline of April 1). The board approved the proposal, helping the city to meet the EPA
requirement of plan compliance by November 2027.
Ron Ragan of Utility Gas Management gave a detailed review on the impact of winter
temperatures on gas market pricing. January’s weather was similar to the polar vortex of 2021,
but this year’s event brought sub-zero temperatures through January and into February. With
production freeze-offs in multiple areas, supply was significantly reduced. Gas utilities are
required to have sufficient gas to avoid penalties, which can be up to three times the daily gas
price. Jasper did not incur any penalties, but high gas bills are expected as a result of the
widespread extreme weather.
UGM also provided an update on the ANR Pipeline rate case. ANR has proposed a rate increase
of approximately 29%, and the shipper rate proposal was about 11.75%. It is expected that the
case will be settled before the April 30 deadline. UGM will provide updates as they become
available.
Wastewater Manager Ed Hollinden secured the board’s permission for Midwestern Engineers
to proceed with design development of the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant. In March
of 2025, an agreement for Phase 1 was approved, and Midwestern will move forward with a
complete design for the plant.
In other business, a quote from Hudson, Inc. for a John Deere Lift Station Mower will be taken
under consideration. The Beaver Lake Drain will be closed the week of March 15 for summer
preparation, and the board approved a request to hire two summer temporary employees. An
update was also provided on the Gemini Group invoice for annual water quality reports.
The board accepted the low quote from Translate Live for two translation devices for $4,998.
This will improve communication with non-English speaking customers, providing support for
over 200 languages. The utility office has implemented the Tyler Timekeeping and Payroll
Reporting module, modernizing the current system and improving efficiency. The project is
expected to be complete in the near future after final approval from the Treasurer’s Office.
For more information on these and other updates, visit jasperindiana.gov or JasperGov-Indiana
on Facebook.
- By Drew Hasselbring