JEFFERSON — Jefferson Electric Utility is integrating as a City of Jefferson department after a 7-1 vote by the council on Tuesday.
Mayor Dale Oppermann said the merger’s reasoning was to provide maximum value and transparency to Jefferson Electric Utility customers and the taxpayers of the city of Jefferson.
“The former structure at Jefferson Electric Utility lacked effective organizational structure and accountability. The utility manager had no direct supervision or oversight under the prior structure. The proposed structure utilizes existing city resources and provides greater operational efficiency and accountability,” said Oppermann.
The structure change was also requested by and unanimously approved by the Jefferson Electric Utility Commission.
The commission will be responsible for “the management and control of utility operations while remaining under the general control and supervision of the City of Jefferson Common Council.”
The commission will have the authority to hire a utility manager and utility staff, establish compensation for utility staff, enlist services of municipal engineers, contract for services in its own name and oversee construction of its own infrastru...