THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
July 28, 2026
The meeting of the Board of Public Works was held on July 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, Board Member Ryan Johnson, General Manager Dana Ulmer, Assistant General Manager Ben Stueve, Controller Jennifer McLeland, Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Brent Orbin, Mayor Talt Holman, Councilwoman Theresa Ulrich, guest Shannon Howe with Howe Company, and guest Josh Lambeth with Howe Company.
President David Ausmus called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.
6. Motion to Amend the Agenda – Controller Jennifer McLeland shared that she had missed adding the bid opening overseen by Howe Company for the City of Macon pool wastewater service line to her calendar, but due to the urgent nature to move forward with the project it would be beneficial to amend the agenda. President David Ausmus made a motion, seconded by Vice President Jeff Roberts to amend the agenda to include Approval of City of Macon Pool Wastewater Service Line installation. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
7. Approval of City of Macon Pool Wastewater Service Line Installation – Josh Lambeth, Howe Company, shared they had sent local contractor information on a request for bid, as well as posted it on their website, Macon Municipal Utilities website, and other reputable engineering project websites. Howe Company had four prospective contractors purchase plans from their website and of those two companies submitted bids. Freedom Excavating submitted a bid of $89,500 and JT Holman Construction, with subcontractor of Willis Brothers, submitted a bid of $60,000. Mr. Lambeth recommended accepting JT Holman Construction’s bid for the wastewater service line installation. President David Ausmus made a motion, seconded by Board Member Ryan Johnson to approval of JT Holman Constructions bid of $60,000 in install the wastewater service line to the City of Macon pool. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
1. The minutes from the previous regular meeting of the Board of Public Works were reviewed. President David Ausmus made a motion, seconded by Vice President Jeff Roberts, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting from July 23, 2026, as presented. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
Old business
2. Approval of Human Resources Consulting Contract – General Manager Dana Ulmer shared that following the June 2026 Board of Public Works meeting he requested contract agreement clarifications from Ascension Human Capital Management to separate the previously combined agreement including both City of Macon and Macon Municipal Utilities. Mr. Ulmer noted that the updated agreement for just Macon Municipal Utilities would be an expense of $30,000 for 12 months. President David Ausmus made a motion, seconded by Board Member Ryan Johnson to table the approval of a human resources consulting contract until additional information is available. The motion carried with four votes for and none against. Board Member Ryan Johnson noted that the updated agreement refers to the client as the City of Macon rather than Macon Municipal Utilities in various locations, and requested these clerical errors be corrected prior to signature approval. Vice President Jeff Roberts made a motion, seconded by Board Member Chris Nelson to approve the human resources consulting contract with Ascension Human Capital Management for $30,000 annual expense paid monthly in $2,500 increments. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
New business
3. Review of Financials – June 2026 – Board Member Ryan Johnson noted the positive cash flows of all services other than natural gas. Mrs. McLeland shared that winter weather during January and February shows the largest revenues during the year and as management sets the rate billed to customers each month it is very common for warm weather months to have negative cash flows to offset the significant revenues during cold months.
Mrs. McLeland also shared that as the certificates of deposit previously approved to be cashed out at maturity on July 1, 2026, the financial statements for wastewater and electric would be significantly different next month.
4. Approval of November 3, 2026, Bond Election – Mr. Ulmer shared that he reviewed that bond election details and corresponding documents with the City Council on July 14, 2026. City Council Members had a discussion including questions and answers with Mr. Ulmer during City Council’s open session. Mayor Talt Holman and Councilwoman Theresa Ulrich shared their thoughts from the City Council Meeting as well as questions they had been asked from citizens. Following additional discussion, questions and answers, recommendations and concerns President David Ausmus made a motion, seconded by Vice President Jeff Roberts to approve a bond election for water and wastewater system improvements for $80 million to the November 3, 2026, election ballot, to send the request for the bond issue to be included on the ballot to the City Council, and for public education documents to be provided to the City Council prior to August 11 and ready for public distribution upon and City Council approval vote. The motion carried with four votes for and none against.
5. Discussion of Cyber Security Updates – Mr. Ulmer shared that following previous discussions about cyber security, InfiniTech Consulting that currently provides third party IT support to all Macon Municipal Utility locations conducted an onsite review and quote to upgrade all facilities to updated enterprise grade equipment that was sized to allow for additional security in the future, such as a comprehensive security camera system. Board Member Chris Nelson made a motion, seconded by President David Ausmus to approve the cyber security upgrade quote not to exceed $39,780 for all facility locations and to start all upgrades as soon as possible. The motion carried with three votes for, none against, and one abstention.
8. Employee Retention & Recruitment – Kim Ross, Customer Service Representative, has submitted her resignation, her last day will be Thursday, August 6. Job opening advertisement has been posted.
9. Board of Public Works Member Reports – Vice President Jeff Roberts asked Mr. Ulmer for an update on the lead service line replacements. Mr. Ulmer shared that while he had spoken with Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Macon was on the list for potential funding, their approval of all project funding is completed in late October or early November. Once Mr. Ulmer has additional information it will be shared with the Board.
Board Member Chris Nelson noted he had been reading through the Board of Public Works Bylaws which mention specific references to City Code. Mr. Nelson asked if an attachment to the bylaws could be made to cite all referenced City Code.
10. Approval of Accounts Payable – Board members signed accounts payable without revision.
A motion was made by President David Ausmus, seconded by Vice President Jeff Roberts to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 pm, with the next regular board meeting set for Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 5:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Motion carried with four votes for and none against.