Paris, TN – In an effort to keep BPU employees, Board Members and the media safe amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the Paris Board of Public Utilities elected to hold the April meeting of the Board via Zoom.
The first order of business for the Board was the approval of a resolution affirming the necessity of holding this month’s meeting via electronic means in compliance with Governor Bill Lee’s Executive Order #16.
Additionally, the Board approved the minutes of the March regular meeting and approved the monthly financial and statistical reports.
The next item of business was an approval by the Board of a resolution recommending the City of Paris form the Paris Utility Authority. The idea of BPU becoming the Paris Utility Authority was first discussed at the January meeting of the Board.
BPU General Manager, Terry Wimberley, re-emphasized points made at the January meeting explaining, “The change will likely go unnoticed by BPU customers and employees, but this transition will untie the debit, budget and audit from the City of Paris.” He added, “It also will provide flexibility allowing us to establish public/private partnerships which will be a positive for the community.”
The Board also approve an Assignment & Assumption Agreement between City of Paris, BPU Board, and Paris Utility Authority Board. According to the agreement, all assets, debt and liabilities will be assigned by the City of Paris/BPU and assumed by Paris Utility Authority.
The Board also voted to approve the quarterly write-off of delinquent accounts in the amount of $5,249.99.
In other business, Wimberley discussed the impact Covid-19 has had on the utility and explained that just prior to the meeting, there were 650 customers with past due or depleted accounts for a total of over $101,000 since suspending the utility’s disconnect policies mid-March.
The May meeting of the Board will take place on Tuesday, May 26.
About BPU – Established as an independent board of the City of Paris in 1938, BPU is a municipally-owned utility that provides electric, water and wastewater services to residents of Paris and Henry County as a means of promoting economic development and enhancing quality of life in the community. Serving over 21,000 homes and businesses, BPU strives to provide reliable, safe and affordable services to our community.