Paris, TN – At Tuesday’s meeting, the Paris Utility Authority Board of Directors approved the 2023 fiscal year budgets for electric, water and wastewater. “We are pleased to present this year’s budgets with no rate increases in any department,” according to President and CEO Terry Wimberley.
In his President’s report, Wimberley spoke about the recent extreme temperatures and the importance of maintaining grid stability. The increasing prices in fuel were also discussed.
Wimberley congratulated Darin Parker, who won both 3rd Place in the Senior Division at the Tennessee Valley Lineman Rodeo in Sevierville, Tennessee, and 1st Place in the Hartman Rescue Event.
Board Chairman David Flowers was reappointed to the PUA board and the motion was granted to reappoint Jack Veazey to serve a new 5-year term on the Paris BPU Round Up Board. The board also renewed the employment contract with Wimberley.
In May of 2021, the PUA entered into an Interconnection Agreement with Silicon Ranch that was associated with a 6.75 MW solar flexibility project. An amendment was proposed to the Board which addresses only term length. The decision was made by the Board to extend the Interconnection Agreement with Silicon Ranch to 40 years from the original 30-year term.
The final item of business was the presentation of the funding plan for the long-term electric department expenditures. Wimberley presented a plan which would serve as the funding source for all major capital purchases for the next five years.
In closing, Wimberley introduced his employee guest, Ashton Norris. Ashton serves as a Utility Outreach Coordinator and has been with the utility since May of 2022.