Staff writer
Taking over electrical service at Hillsboro Industrial Park from Westar Energy would cost Hillsboro about $1 million upfront, City Administrator Larry Paine told city council members last Wednesday.
If the city charged businesses at the industrial park the same amount Westar charges, the city would gain $22,000 a year. The switch also would make it easier to serve the planned Hillsboro Community Hospital, adjacent to the industrial park, Paine said.
Attracting a new business to the industrial park could further increase revenue.
If the city increased rates at the industrial park to match city rates, the revenue would increase to more than $200,000 per year, Mayor Delores Dalke said.
The cost to take over Westar’s stake at the industrial park would include $762,000 to reimburse 24 months of revenue to the company, about $100,000 to buy transformers and power lines, plus engineering and construction costs.
Council member Byron McCarty said the city had been considering taking control of electric service at the industrial park for several years but hadn’t had specific numbers until now.
Paine asked the council whether he should drop the issue or continue researching it. Dalke said she wanted him to continue researching, and the council agreed.
In other business:
- The city will seek bids for roof repairs at the former AMPI building. Two areas rented by Golden Heritage Foods have developed leaks.
- Hillsboro Senior Center had a net loss of $505 through the first six months of 2010, according to information provided by director Charles Rempel. He urged council members to eat lunch at the center occasionally, because higher attendance for meals could result in more state aid.
- The city will apply for a grant from Kansas Department of Transportation to build a new hangar at the airport.
- William Morris Associates of Augusta were paid $993 for preparing the historic Bartel House to be moved into town as a museum. Funding for the project was provided by a donation.
- When concrete is poured for the Ash Street resurfacing project from north of Third Street to First Street, it will take seven to 20 days for it to cure. The longer concrete cures, the stronger it is, Paine said. The street has been closed since May 10.
- Maura Wiebe and Doris Kohlenberg were appointed to Hillsboro Library Board.
- Jennifer Unruh was appointed to Hillsboro Housing Authority as a resident representative. The board hadn’t had a resident representative for several years, Dalke said.