Financial ask approved

During its regularly scheduled meeting Feb. 12, the Creston City Water Works board unanimously approved the option of borrowing against a CD savings account to meet the its March financial obligations.

“Until our rate increase kicks in, we’re going to have to borrow against our $497,000 CD to cash flow all our financial obligations,” said Steven Guthrie, Water Works general manager.

The interest on borrowing against the CD is lower than the penalty for taking money out of the CD early.

Office hours

The board approved an office hour change. Creston Water Works will now close at 4:15 p.m., instead of 4:30 p.m., to allow employees time to balance the books. A 30-day notice will be given before the time change takes effect.

Maintenance compliance

The Water Works board approved the purchase of a computer program to generate maintenance reports, track equipment and repairs. Guthrie said the software is a part of the compliance agreement with the Iowa DNR. Currently, Water Works has no software to complete these tasks.

“It also helps hold us accountable for doing the maintenance as well, because they have assigned tasks, and it makes it easier to do that and track that they are being completed properly,” said Guthrie.

The chosen software is called Emaint by Fluke Corporation. The estimated cost of the program is $10,428 for the first two years, which includes implementation, start-up, two years of licensing. The an ongoing fee of $3,700 per year after that.

SIRWA update

Creston City Water Works and SIRWA must hold quarterly meetings and turn in meeting minutes. A moderator must be present for these meetings. These costs will be covered through a cost-share between the two entities.

Water rate discussions have continued with SIRWA.

“I’m working with them on increasing the cost of (SIRWA’s) water,” said Guthrie.

Currently SIRWA pays Water Works $1.15 per 1,000 gallons.

“It’s going to be ... $1.22 range, give or take a penny,” said Guthrie.

SIRWA’s rates have not yet been finalized.

Online bill pay

Creston City Water Works has created a website, crestonwaterworks.com. The board discussed the potential to add online bill pay through the new website.

The website is accessible, however is currently incomplete.

The costs involved with offering online bill pay are $3,000 for the first year and $1,600 per each additional year. In addition, transaction fees of 2.99% for credit card fee and $5 for debit cards would apply.

Guthrie recommended passing the card fees onto the customer as customers would have the option to continue to pay by mail, by depositing a payment into the payment box or making payments in person during office hours.

The discussion was tabled for the next board meeting, March 12.

Creston City Water Works board meetings are 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Water Works Office, 820 S. Park St. Meetings are open to the public.