Newburg officials addressed the city’s prospects for future electrical supply during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
In December, it was announced Newburg and more than a dozen cities in southern Missouri would have their contracts terminated in 2013 by Sho-Me Power.
“It is certainly within their right to do,” said Mayor Andy Mattison, before adding the cities contract was good through the year 2033.
Along with other cities that will have their contracts terminated in 2013, Newburg formed the Mid-Missouri Municipal Public Electric Power group to see whether a solution could be found.
The first order of business for the MMMPEP was agreeing to retain the services of BHMG Consulting Engineers of St. Louis. Councilwoman Doreen Moore, who attended last week’s group meeting, informed the council the cost would be spread out among the cities based on power usage.
The council also empowered Moore to act as the secondary in case the mayor is unavailable to weigh in on a decision.
Mattison stressed no decision has been made — even though the city and group have been in contact with the Missouri Public Utilities Alliance — and the cities were moving slowly and deliberately since termination is several years away.
Mattison, however, tried to dispel the idea the city would pay less for electricity in the future.
“Everyone is pretty much in agreement it will be more expensive for the cities,” Mattison said.
