THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
April 28, 2026
The meeting of the Board of Public Works was held on April 28, 2026, at 5:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Those in attendance were President David Ausmus, Vice President Jeff Roberts, Board Member Chris Nelson, General Manager Dana Ulmer, Assistant General Manager Ben Stueve, Controller Jennifer McLeland and BPW Liaison Councilwoman Cheryl Blaise. Board Member Ryan Johnson was absent.
President David Ausmus called the meeting to order at 5:14 pm.
- The minutes from the previous regular meeting of the Board of Public Works were reviewed. Vice President Jeff Roberts made a motion, seconded by Board Member Chris Nelson, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting from March 24, 2026, as presented. The motion carried with three votes for and none against.
Old business
- There was no old business to discuss.
New business
3. Motion to Amend the Agenda – Board Member Chris Nelson made a motion, seconded by Vice President Jeff Roberts, to amend the agenda in include Appointment to Macon County Economic Development Board. The motion carried with three votes for and none against.
4. Appointment to Macon County Economic Development Board – Controller Jennifer McLeland shared that MMU holds five voting seats on the Macon County Economic Development Board. Currently MMU’s Board representatives are Dana Ulmer, President; Zach McLeland, Vice President; Jill Williams, Past President; Rusty Neill; and one vacant seat. President David Ausmus made a motion, seconded by Board Member Chris Nelson, to approve Clarence Walker to serve on the Macon County Economic Development Board for an initial 2-year term. The motion carried with three votes for and none against.
5. Review of Financials – March 2026 – Controller Jennifer McLeland shared the commodity expenses were down as the warm weather set in and that expenses remained consistent for all funds with the exception of tuckpointing at City Hall and the purchase of a submersible pump at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Board Member Chris Nelson inquired about the starch difference of $418,000 in year-to-date net income from 2025 to 2026. Assistant General Manager Ben Stueve explained that the unseasonably cold weather the last week of January 2026 increased electric commodity costs substantially, costing approximately $250,000 more than budgeted. Mrs. McLeland added that as utility expenses and revenues are very weather dependent if we have a very hot summer with excessive air conditioning use the revenue could exceed the commodity cost for the year.
6. Discussion of Water and Wastewater System Improvements – As a follow-up to the workshop held prior to the Board of Public Works meeting that included a portion of the City Council, engineers, bond attorney, financial advisor and Missouri Department of Revenue Financial Assistance Center Director management will create an informative handout to provide to the City Council including operation and regulatory background, cost estimates, anticipated bond request amount and a timeline for details regarding an election for bonding on the upcoming water and wastewater system improvements.
7. Employee Retention & Recruitment – Hunter Stivers started with Underground Facilities effective Monday, April 20. All departments are fully staffed.
8. Board of Public Works Member Reports – No Board Member reports were made.
9. Approval of Accounts Payable – Board members signed accounts payable without revision.
A motion was made by Vice President Jeff Roberts, seconded by President David Ausmus to hold a closed executive session regarding Legal (RsMO 610.021 (1)). The roll call vote was as follows: President David Ausmus, yea; Vice President Jeff Roberts, yea; Board Member Chris Nelson, yea.
Following the closed session, a motion was made by Board Member Chris Nelson, seconded by President David Ausmus to adjourn the meeting at 6:10 pm, with the next regular board meeting set for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 5:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Motion carried with three votes for and none against.