So far, LUB has nine applicants vying to become next LUB general manager

LUB approves substation transformer change orders, other business

By Charlotte Underwood

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- The LaFollette Utility Board held its workshop and meeting on Monday evening, approving substation transformer change orders, among other business items.

The change orders were due to an 11.19 percent increase on the transformers which were ordered in 2023 but had a “lengthy lead time” before they were manufactured and delivered.

The utility ordered three units in 2023, and the purchasing contract included a price adjustment for changes in cost of copper and other manufacturing supplies. The units were just now delivered last month

The total change order cost was an additional $280,281.00.

“Due to the lead time being three years, it is a very common practice for the manufacturers to put something like this in,” said LUB interim manager Keith Atkins.

The transformers have been delivered to the Sweet Gum Flats Substation, the Royal Blue Substation and to the Jacksboro substation, though it is to be used in the Deerfield area.

The board also discussed and approved an invoice for Thomas Contracting LLC for tree trimming on the Whitman Hollow Road in August of last year. The utility had an existing contract with Thomas Contracting and reached out to them to have an additional area not in the original contract trimmed. This surpassed the outstanding amount that the GM could approve of and had to be brought before the board. The board approved the $41,000 payment. The Tree trimming along Whitman Hollow Road is to upgrade an existing line.

The board also discussed and approved the acquisition of capital outlay notes for the State Route 63 water project.

Atkins said that grant funds are slow to come in.

“A total of $387,000 has been paid, there is $261,000 is now due and the remaining budget is just over $1 million,” Atkins said.

“We probably need to do this folks just for our cash flow purposes; the state is sometimes slow … This is just our insurance policy that we will be able to pay these contractors until the state money comes in,” said board chairman Jay Willoughby.

In other business the board also discussed a letter from city of LaFollette regarding paving of the cut roads. Atkins said six had been completed and three more were to be done.

During Monday’s LaFollette Utility Board workshop, Utility Board member Laura Byrge gave utility board members an update on the search for a utility general manager.

According to Byrge, the job is posted on four websites and will be posted until June 1st.

“We currently have nine applicants; we can start the interviews anytime,” said Byrge.

Interviews are expected to start around May 12th. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-05/01/2026-6AM)