Rockford Utilities moves to new building
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The Rockford Utilities Board has officially moved and is now occupying its new building at the intersection of U.S. Highway 231 and Circle Drive near Dollar General. Starting this month, all monthly board meetings will be held at this new building. Photo by Christa Jennings
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
As of June 19, the Rockford Utilities Board has officially moved to now occupy its new building at the intersection of U.S. Highway 231 and Circle Drive, near Dollar General.
The building’s exact address is 9301 U.S. Highway 231, and the Utilities Board office can be reached at 256-935-4004 or 205-402-8996. All monthly board meetings beginning this month will be held at the new building.
During the June board meeting, Utilities Superintendent Wade Brown stated that he had returned his shop keys to the Town of Rockford on June 16. It was stated that the final power bill from the town should come during the next cycle.
Banners have been posted around town to help customers know of the Utilities Board’s new location, and during the meeting it was stated that the board will get a 4-by-8-foot sign for the building. Security cameras have also been installed in and on the new building.
For customers’ convenience, a payment drop box is located at the front of the new building. Office hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the office closed for lunch daily from 12-1 p.m.
In old business regarding the ongoing discussion over ownership of a backhoe shared between the town and the Utilities Board, board attorney Nancy Kirby said that she had received an email from the town’s attorney, Tom Young, advising that the backhoe had been appraised for $4,700.
The Town of Rockford has one-third ownership of the backhoe, and the Utilities Board has two-thirds ownership of it. The board unanimously approved offering the town $1,567 for the backhoe, which will be anticipated to come up at the next Town Council meeting for the town to vote on the matter.
In other business during its meeting, regarding the sewer plant Kirby stated that she had talked with David Ringelstein, a bond attorney at Maynard Nexen in Birmingham who was recommended by the USDA for the USDA loan process.
Kirby went on to say that there are two requirements for the Letter of Conditions, with those being that the board needs to choose a bank for a temporary construction loan for $483,000 from USDA and seek bids for construction.
It was stated that the total for the USDA loan and grant is $989,000, with the loan amount being $483,000 and the grant amount $506,000.
The board advised using Suzanne Scott and First Bank for the temporary construction loan. Kirby also spoke with Ed Morris of Sentel Engineering who advised that construction should begin about two months after the construction loan is secured.
In other business, the board unanimously approved paying the board’s insurance for cyber liability coverage, which is to cover the board’s computers in the event they are hacked. The premium is $1,000 annually and covers $100,000.
During the meeting Board Chair Ronnie Brown also stated for them to buy a receipt printer and a computer for part-time Utilities Clerk Jennifer Ayers’ desk.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Rockford Utilities Board will be held at 6 p.m. July 17.
