Julie Yates
Pryor residents are likely to see a rate increase due to higher costs from Grand River Dam Authority.
GRDA recently approved raising power rates by 11.95 percent for wholesale customers. This increase will effect customers of Pryor Municipal Utility Board.
Gary Pruett, general manager for MUB, has recommended increasing residential rates in Pryor from 6.75 cents per kilowatt hour to 7.5 cents.
Pruett said the proposed increase for residents will cover MUB’s additional costs due to GRDA’s rate increase. It will cause rates to go up
by 11 percent for Pryor residents.
Pruett said GRDA officials told him they “hope to reduce the rates for us” in the future. In turn, Pruett said MUB would be able to lower theirs.
GRDA raised their rates to compensate for low margins on power sales due to the receding economy.
“Hopefully sales will come back,” Pruett said.
GRDA’s rate increase will take effect Jan. 1, 2010.
The board discussed Pruett’s recommendations in the Nov. 2 meeting, but took no action.
The next MUB meeting is scheduled for Nov. 16.
“I’m sure they will take action on the 16th,” Pruett said.
Pruett said MUB will take time for public comments during the meeting.
MUB awarded bids last month on a water tower for the west side of town.
MUB approved the bids according to recommendations from Ray Murray of Settle Engineering.
Murray reported his review of all bids before board members voted. The low bids were
well below Murray’s estimate made two years previously.
MUB approved Gerard Tank and Steel Company of Concordia, Kan., as the contractor for the tower. The cost is $578,400 and includes 300 calendar days for the contract period.
MUB awarded the water line bid to the McGuire Brothers for their bid of $248,384. The water supply line will stretch to the new tower.
Pruett said the new water storage tower will be constructed northwest of Green Country Mobile Home Park. The tank will hold 300,000 gallons.
Pruett said the tower will be constructed a piece at a time.
The water line running to the tower will begin at the intersection of Taylor and First Streets behind the street department building.
Pruett said the water line will begin as an 8-inch line and expand the further north it goes. The line will be 16-inch pipe at the water tower. The McGuire Brothers have 75 calendar days to complete the water line.
Pruett said the total cost of the tower and water line will be approximately $900,000 including inspection and contingency fees.
Green Country Shredding and Recycling Inc., Tulsa shredded documents at the warehouse under supervision of Assistant General Manager Andy Richard. Richard said Green Country Shredding will provide a certificate of destruction for $1,400.
The shredding company is providing a 96-gallon lock box for administrative office for $35 a month and a 65-gallon lock box for the warehouse for $20 a month. The company will shred documents under the supervision of authorized MUB personnel. They will provide a certificate of destruction to comply with regulations.
• Teri Hill will attend a managerial seminar at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah Nov. 10. The cost is $99.
• MUB will send one employee to the regional training seminar for incode billing software in Collinsville. The seminar is Nov. 16-20 and
registration costs $55.
