TOP PHOTO: La Follette Utility Board members met on Monday evening for the monthly workshop and meeting. A capital outlay note and equipment bids topped the agenda.

By Charlotte Underwood 

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – The LaFollette Utility Board approved a resolution for a $380,000 capital outlay note, as well as substation equipment bids and a bucket truck bid at Monday’s meeting. 

According to LUB General Manager Kenny Baird, the utility is doing substation upgrades on the Sweet Gum Flats substation in White Oak and on the one in Royal Blue. 

“Everything that is fed out to the systems is on a radio feed. We have decided the best plan is to add a contingency shutoff,” Baird said.

Baird said the substations need a “circuit switcher.”  

“It will kill power if needed, like a high voltage breaker to keep it from damaging the multi-million-dollar system,” Baird said.

The circuit switcher for the substation in White Oak will cost $86,758, but due to shortages, it can’t be delivered for two years.

Two other breakers are needed for the Deerfield Substation; those will cost around $201,066. There is a long wait of about two years for that equipment as well.

A bucket truck bid was also approved by the utility board.

“We bid another bucket truck for the metering department. This one will replace a 1990 model.

The utility only received one bid at $220,000, which Baird recommended the board accept. 

“Anymore it seems like we only get one bid in on these trucks we can no longer order them to spec either,” Baird said.

Funds for this purchase will also come from the revenue anticipation note. 

“This should put us into pretty good shape,” Baird said.

The surplus sale of five pieces of equipment was approved by the utility board. This includes:

1990 Ford Bucket Truck

1993 Ford Lift-all Bucket Truck

2007 Ford 4×4

2002 F150 Super-cab Truck

2001 International Derrick Digger Truck

“We offer any of these on the list to the city for a negotiated price first, then to other municipalities and then to the public through an ad in the paper,” Baird said.

He also announced to the board that the La Follette Utility will be hosting the Chamber of Commerce Breakfast on Thu., April 18 at 8 am. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 03/26/2024-6AM)

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