So far two people have applied for Jimmy Graham’s seat on the Columbus Light and Water board.
Graham’s five-year appointment expires June 30, and he has opted not to seek reappointment. As of Thursday, Brenda Lathan and Stephanie Gale had applied for the post.
Columbus City Council will appoint a new member July 5.
Lathan formerly worked at the Golden Triangle Development LINK, where she was the executive vice president for economic development. During her time at the LINK, she managed the water and sewer operations at the Golden Triangle Industrial Park for 12 years.
In her application, she also cited her years of experience with obtaining environmental permits, securing grants and investigating electrical requirements for projects worked by the LINK.
Gale is a nurse practitioner who owns The Clinic at Elm Lake. She cites her experience as a business owner for the past 14 years, as well as working with the public and industry.
Gale, who had been married to the late Todd Gale, who managed CLW, cited his legacy in her application.
“(Gale) had a vision and a plan to make our utilities as proficient and affordable as possible while cultivating a productive and healthy workplace,” she wrote. “I know I am the right person to continue that path.”
Graham was appointed to the CLW board in August 2002.
Another CLW board member is still serving in good standing, according to board attorney Jeff Smith, despite facing federal charges. Jabari Edwards
Jabari Edwards was charged in federal court last week with money laundering, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and making a false statement in relation to misusing COVID relief funds. Even so, Smith said those circumstances don’t meet the criteria for removal. Jeff Smith
“The only two ways you get off,” Smith said. “You are removed for something like a (felony) conviction or if you resign.”
Mayor Keith Gaskin said it was “premature to discuss that now” when asked about Edwards continuing to serve on the board.
Edwards was appointed in 2015, replacing Andrew Colom after he resigned.
CLW approves FY23 electric budget Thursday afternoon the CLW board approved its electric department budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
CLW is projecting $43,970,522 in sales revenue, $42.7 million of which comes from power sales. This is an increase over FY 2021, which saw $38,803,489 in total income.
The FY 2023 budget projects a total of $42,886,785 in total expenses, which is higher than FY 2021’s $38,464,310. The lion’s share of that cost comes from power purchases from the Tennessee Valley Authority, which is budgeted at $31,647,152 in FY 2023, up from $28,484,526 in FY 2022.
Other areas of expenditure include distribution and maintenance, budgeted at $2,730,589, an increase over last year’s $2,586,690; customer accounting, administration and general, which is budgeted at $3,299,084, up from $3,072,735; depreciation and taxes, budgeted at $4,802,937, up from $4,097,884; and interest on long term debt, budgeted at $407,024, which is up from $222,475 last year.
Total debt as of the end of June is $15,168,262. That includes the recently passed $8 million bond issue.
The increased expenditures are largely driven by the same cost and supply chain issues faced by practically everyone, General Manager Angela Verdell said.
“For example, take 6-inch plastic PVC pipe,” she said. “Back two years ago that was $5.50 a foot, and now it’s $22.50 a foot. And that’s just something that’s simple. When you look at transformers and things like that, the prices are just skyrocketing.”
Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.
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