panora

The Panora City Council met in regular session Monday.

The meeting began with a presentation from Guthrie County Airport Authority Chairman Marshall Burgess during the public forum about increasing a property tax levy for the airport. The airport is looking to do a $3.8 million runway project and they are working on funding the 10% needed for the project. The City’s finance committee will be looking at their 28E agreement before the Council takes action on the levy. Next, the Council approved the fiscal year 2018 financial report and an employment contract with Alex Goodvin for the electrical operations assistant position. City Administrator Lisa Grossman mentioned Jon Griffith’s resignation as a full-time electric laborer, which was not related to the hiring of Goodvin. The City will soon post an opening for the position.

The Council also approved submitting a notification to the Guthrie County Rural Electric Cooperative to possibly amend their wholesale power agreement. As the agreement automatically renews for one year annually, this notice will allow the City to look over and possibly change any details in the agreement. Finally, the Council agreed to moving forward with drafting a new ordinance in regards to residents using solar or wind energy. City Electric Superintendent Doug Long said some solar companies have expressed interest in selling solar panels to residents, which the City is required by the state to allow, but in order for those residents to attach to the City’s electric system the City must install a net meter to keep track of electric usage and reimburse residents as needed.