Laserfiche WebLink
Regular meeting of the Elk River Utilities Commission <br /> November 12, 1996 <br /> Page 3 <br /> 5 . 6 1996 Budget Up-date <br /> The Ten Year Capitol Projected forecast, the Ten Year <br /> Personnel Projections and the 1997 Training and <br /> Travel Budget were presented and discussed. Mr. Adams <br /> explained the difficulties in finalizing the 1997 <br /> budget, due to the power cost negotiations and rate <br /> studies. <br /> 6 . 1 Proposed Electric Line Person Apprenticeship Program <br /> The Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association has developed <br /> a program to enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities <br /> of electrical lineworkers . The program is for apprentice <br /> lineworkers who desire to become journeymen lineworkers, as <br /> well as for journeymen lineworkers who need brushing-up. <br /> Elk River Utilities has a number of interested employees. <br /> Mr. Zabee moved to adopt the Electric Line Person Career <br /> Development Program and to require all new apprentices to <br /> complete this program before achieving the top pay of their <br /> class . Mr. Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0 . <br /> (Copy attached) <br /> 6 .2 Proposed Education Policy <br /> Mr. Adams suggested that the Utilities adopt an <br /> Education Assistance Policy, in an effort to encourage <br /> employees to continue their education. The proposed policy <br /> pays all costs, capped at $2, 000 . 00, in contrast to the <br /> City' s policy, which reimburses 750 of the tuition fees . <br /> Mr. Adams feels the capped policy will provide more detail, <br /> minimizing potential miscommunication and address the type <br /> of employees that will be using the program. <br /> Mr. Dietz moved to adopt the Elk River Municipal Utilities <br /> Assistance Policy. (Copy attached) Mr. Zabee seconded the <br /> motion. Motion carried 3-0 . <br /> 6 . 3 Service Territory Acquisition <br /> Discussion was held regarding the acquisition of the area <br /> around the Sherburne County Court House, with up-front <br /> costs of approximately $335, 000 . 00 . Mr. Adams advised <br /> the Commission on the pros and cons of acquiring this <br /> territory, as well as reviewing the 1990 agreement . This <br /> topic will be brought up at a future meeting, after Mr. <br /> Adams researches the possibility of either making the <br /> courthouse an exception customer, or borrowing money from <br /> the Water Fund. <br />