Lamar utility proposes steady rates and $1.8 million in 2027 capital work

Lamar Light and Power’s proposed 2027 budget would keep electric rates unchanged and allocate $1,800,500 for capital work. The utility also expects to conduct a cost-of-service rate study, a representative told the City Council at its Oct. 12 budget hearing, recorded alongside the budget presentation.

The proposed work includes upgrades to the utility’s advanced metering infrastructure and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. The representative did not detail the scope of those upgrades. The plan also includes a second phase of work on 4-kilovolt feeder switchgear and breakers. The representative said the existing equipment dates to the 1960s and replacement parts are difficult to find. The new vacuum-type equipment would connect to SCADA, with improved reliability as the goal.

The plan also calls for rewinding a spare transformer so it can be used at other substations. The work is spread across years, and the representative said transformer lead times are at least two years.

The council closed the public hearing on the city and utility budgets and passed the city’s 2027 budget ordinance on first reading. The utility budget figures therefore remained proposed at that stage.