Winamac reviews utility rates

Winamac Town Council members gave their approval for the town to move forward with an Indiana Municipal Power Agency solar panel project during a special meeting on May 4.

During the meeting, council members talked utility budget finances and about the solar panels project.

Council members first heard from Eric Walsh of Umbaugh, who are financial advisors for the town. He reviewed each of the utilities including electric, water and sewer.

Cash balances for each utility compared with the rates were reviewed, along with operating expenses. The top 10 consumers for each utility were also pointed out.

He suggested that the town look to the future in regards to forecasted revenues and expenditures for the next five years.

“You are to the point where everything is running pretty smooth in town. You are doing a good job of getting a capital plan together and looking at a couple of big things a few years out instead of saying a year before it that ‘we are going to need a half of a million dollars,’” Walsh said.

He suggested that if the town decided that rate increases are warranted then they are done in multi-phases but approved at once, so only one public hearing has to be held.

He commended the town for working towards a positive financial status.

Council members were then presented the idea of hosting solar panels in the town limits. Dan Worhl, from the Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA), said the panels will help with future costs to municipalities.

He said those municipalities that are hosting solar panels will receive pilot payments but the property must be in the town limits. If the town received payments it would benefit the general fund.

Town manager Brad Zellers said there were several different places that the solar panels could be constructed. Some were in town limits. Other proposed locations were in the town buffer zone.

Worhl said the number of panels will determine how many acres are needed. As part of the process, IMPA would first look to purchase or lease land and then work toward obtaining permits. They would ask for the standard tax abatement.

There was a question as to how the electric consumer will benefit from the solar panels. The answer, according to Worhl, is that it will stabilize the rates.

The council approved to establish a committee to research and make recommendations to the council in regards to the project.