Jackson aldermen considering major electrical upgrade

Jackson could make improvements costing millions of dollars to the city-owned electrical system through 2023 under a plan aldermen may vote on next month.

Electrical system improvements, installation of way-finding signs, and zoning-code amendments were discussed during a board of aldermen study session last week.

The discussion on the city's electric system centered on improving the existing power grid through a plan that could be followed through 2023, according to Alderman and Mayor Pro Tem Joe Bob Baker. Baker said that a vote by the aldermen to formally accept the electric system facility plan could come at the board's Oct. 7 meeting.

"It's about making what we have better," Baker said Friday. "Right now it's just a plan, but need to improve so that we can stay ahead."

Baker said that the improvements included an expansion of the city's electric service.

"A power substation on the east side of town could be added," he said. "The plan also calls for having enough electricity on the city property on the west side for potential businesses that could set up there."

The city of Jackson does not rely on a power company for electricity, Baker said. Instead, the city maintains its own electric system to provide citizens with electricity.

Implementing the plan could cost about $8 million, according to Baker, and it was submitted to the aldermen by representatives of Mid-South Utility Consultants of Memphis, Tenn.

Improving the Jackson power grid in accordance with the plan could begin in 2014 and last through 2023.

"There's lots of things to do along the way," Baker said.

Electrical rates for Jackson citizens are likely to rise in order to fund the necessary improvements.

"At some point rates may have to rise," Baker said. "That's just how it is. But we'd like to do it at a slow pace and not do it all at once."

New signs

Also discussed Monday was the installation of way-finding signs in the city to direct visitors to places like government offices, parks and historical sites.

"We decided to put that on hold," Baker said. "It's really expensive to put those signs up."

The way-finding signs could cost anywhere from thousands of dollars to $10,000 each, according to Building and Planning supervisor Janet Sanders.

"The cost was given to us by the same company that did the signs for the city of Cape," Sanders said. "The signs have to be up to MoDOT specifications and include breakaway poles."

The number of way-finding signs that could be installed in Jackson remain undetermined, according to Sanders.

Amendments to the city's zoning code were also an item of discussion for the aldermen.

"It's really a cleaning up of the code," Baker said. "I doubt it will have a great impact on anybody."

Baker said that the Planning and Zoning board has been examining the code in an effort to remove obsolete sections.

"Based on the board's recommendations," Baker said, "we could vote to eliminate some of the sections."

Final approval of amendments to the zoning code could come in the near future, Baker said.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

101 Court St., Jackson, MO