Monticello City looks at electric grid analysis

by David Boyle
News Director
The Monticello City Council approved a request for proposal for an electrical grid analysis at their January 14 meeting.
The city lease with Empire Electric is coming up for review in July of 2025. City staff recommended a professional analysis to explore the city’s options related to the future of electric services to the City of Monticello.
The request for proposal would ask for a company to analyze options for the city, including continuing services received from Empire Electric, purchasing local infrastructure and operating it as a city or purchasing the infrastructure and hiring a company, such as Rocky Mountain Power, Empire Electric or others to operate it.
The analysis would likely spell out the benefits and drawbacks of the different options, as well as the costs associated with them.
Members of the council discussed whether the thousands of dollars for the analysis is worth the expense before deciding to hear proposals for the analysis.
City staff said they have been pleased with the partnership with Empire Electric and have communicated their plans to do an analysis of options.
Mayor Bayley Hedglin explained while she’s heard from community members to purchase the equipment, and other strong opinions shared in the past regarding the ownership and management of power provided in the city, the analysis would help the council make an informed decision.
Hedglin shared the analysis report, once completed and presented to the council, would then be available for the public to review and discuss with the council, as the council hopes to make an informed decision ahead of the end of the current lease in July of this year.
Council approval of a request for proposal means they will consider proposals presented in a future meeting before ultimately deciding whether or not to pay for an analysis.
Members of the Monticello City Council also approved a grant to help repair the visitor center roof and discussed revitalizing council chambers at the city office.
Members of the council also approved a grant from the Utah Governors Office of Economic Opportunity to fix the city visitor center. The $205,000 grant includes a $45,000 match from the city.
The project will replace the visitor center roof, fix a broken electronic sign, and add lighting and outlets to the parking lot. Members of the council accepted the terms of the grant, thanking city staff for their work to get the project underway.
The city council also explored revitalizing the council chambers at the city offices.
City Manager Kaeden Kulow explained the consideration came in part as the city contemplates replacing audio equipment in the meeting room at the Hideout Community Center.
Kulow asked the council if they would be interested in setting up a system similar to San Juan County, with cameras to broadcast meetings.
Concerned about leaving expensive cameras in the publicly-used Hideout building, Kulow and Hedglin said they are ready to explore the possibility of making the council chambers in the city office usable again.
While no motion was made, members of the council did not express opposition to instilling technical infrastructure at the city office rather than at the Hideout Community Center.
Members of the city council also approved the annual consolidated fee schedule. The council reviewed the fee schedule for the third time at the January 14 meeting after holding public hearings. Members of the council approved the fee schedule.
The city council also appointed Julie Bailey to serve as planning commissioner. Staff, council and the planning commission were happy to repoint Bailey after a brief hiatus from the commission. Her appointment filled the three person commission.
Council member Ron Skinner also gave a report on his service on the San Juan Public Health Board, with turnover at the executive director position and others
Skinner asked the council and community to support the public health departments efforts in the coming weeks and months.
Members of the Monticello City Council also gave appreciation for the services of sheriff deputy Avery Olsen.
The city council also approved their annual meeting schedule, and reappointed Nathan Chamberlain as Mayor Pro-Tem.
In other communications, Kulow shared the city had 596 unique planes visit the airport last year, and also discussed plans for the council to identify goals and objectives at a future meeting for 2025.