10-29-2025 HUCMMINUTES
Regular Meeting — Hutchinson Utilities Commission
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Call to order — 3:00 p.m.
President Matt Cheney called the meeting to order. Members present: President Matt
Cheney; Secretary Don Martinez; Commissioner Kathy Silvernale; Commissioner Tom
Lambert; GM Jeremy Carter; Attorney Marc Sebora:
Absent: Vice President Troy Pullis
Conflict of Interest
2. Approve Consent Agenda
a. Approve Minutes
b. Ratify Payment of Bills
Motion by Commissioner Martinez second by Commissioner Lambert to Approve
the Consent Agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Approve Financial Statements
Mr. Martig presented the Financial Statements. Both divisions trending well. Electric
Division usage was up but customer revenue was down in large part due to the
credits from the power cost adjustment. Operating Expenses were down mostly due
to a $125k payment to the City a year ago for the School Road sewer project.
GM Carter noted in the Electric Division the credits given back to the customers and
how it relates to the rate stabilization fund. Also noted, is how the Power Cost
Adjustments will look ahead in 2026.
GM Carter reviewed the Cash Position and the Investment portfolio along with all
the project payments coming up and potential bonding that may be needed.
Motion by Commissioner Silvernale, second by Commissioner Martinez to Approve
the Financial Statements. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Open Forum
5. Communication
a. City Administrator— Matthew Jaunich —
i. Private development happening - Apartments downtown, Sherwin Williams
and living facility on Golf Course Road.
ii. Potentially 3 housing developments coming next year
b. Divisions
i. Dan Lang, Engineering Services Manager —
1. Hutch Substation update
ii. Dave Hunstad, Electric Transmission/Distribution Manager —Absent
iii. Mike Gabrielson, Production Manager —
1. Provided an update on the Annual Borescope of Unit 1 that was
completed. Two cracked blades were found. Working with GE to
help with options.
iv. Jared Martig, Financial Manager — Nothing to Report
v. Byron Bettenhausen, Natural Gas Manager —
1. Finishing up projects
2. MNOPS Audit was completed last week, waiting for final briefing
c. Human Resources — Angie Radke -
i. Continuing to work with Insurance Broker on PFML percentage rates along
with different Ancillary options
ii. Benefits right around the corner, finalizing percentage increases on Health
and Dental.
iii. Flu Shot Clinic
iv. Reminder that the Commissioners will need to set a date and time for the
General Manager annual review, which can be a separate date or in
conjunction with the December regular Commission meeting.
After discussion GM Carter and Commissioners agreed to have the review
at the regular Commission Meeting in December, that may be re -scheduled
to December 17, 2025.
d. Legal — Marc Sebora —
i. Nothing to report
e. General Manager — Jeremy Carter
i. Finalizing insurance numbers
ii. Working on Cap X and budgets
iii. Update on New Ulm contract
6. Policies
a. Review Policies
i. Natural Gas Service Requirements & Changes
ii. Temporary Service — Natural Gas
iii. Natural Gas Meter Requirements & Placement
iv. Meter Testing — Natural Gas
v. Natural Gas Service Work
vi. Locating Customer's Underground Utilities — Natural Gas
No changes recommended at this time
7. Unfinished Business
8. New Business
a. Approve 2025 Audit Services with Conway Deuth & Schmiesing
Mr. Martig presented Approval of 2025 Audit Services with Conway Deuth and
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Schmiesing. For fiscal year 2025, Audit Services have increased to $31,250. Mr.
Martig provided a 10-year history for review.
Motion by Commissioner Lambert, second by Commissioner Silvernale to
Approve 2025 Audit Services with Conway Deuth & Schmiesing. Motion carried
unanimously.
b. Approve Req#010415 — B-MN Data Centers Materials
GM Carter presented Approval of Req#010415 — B-MN Data Centers Materials.
HUC entered into a Power Purchase Agreement with B-MN Data Centers Inc on
September 24, 2025. As part of that agreement the customer agrees to pay HUC
within 30 business days after the delivery of the equipment and before the start of
construction. Wesco had the best pricing.
Motion by Commissioner Martinez, second by Commissioner Silvernale to
Approve Req#010415 — B-MN Data Centers Materials. Motion carried
unanimously.
c. Approve Setting a Special Budget Workshop Meeting
Ms. Radke presented Approval of Setting a Special Budget Workshop Meeting.
Based on Commissioner feedback that was received from the Commissioners,
Staff would like to set a Special Budget Workshop Meeting at 1:30pm on
November 26, 2025, before the regular scheduled Commission Meeting.
Motion by Commissioner Silvernale, second by Commissioner Lambert to Approve
Setting a Special Budget Workshop meeting at 1:30pm on November 26, 2025.
Motion carried unanimously.
d. Approve Rescheduling the December 31, 2025, Regular Commission Meeting
if needed.
Ms. Radke presented Approval of Rescheduling the December 31, 2025, Regular
Commission Meeting to December 17, 2025. Based on the feedback that was
received from the Commissioners, Staff would like to reschedule the December
31, 2025, Regular Commission Meeting to December 17, 2025, at 3pm.
Motion by Commissioner Lambert, second by Commissioner Martinez to Approve
Rescheduling the December 31, 2025, Regular Commission Meeting to
December 17, 2025. Motion carried unanimously,.
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e. Discussion and Approval on the Level of Carbon Free/Renewable Power
Supply Mix
GM Carter started the discussion on the level of carbon free/renewable power
supply mix along with providing some context between the old guidelines and now
the new guidelines. Each year HUC is required to notify Missouri River Energy
Services (MRES), HUC's wholesale supplier on the participation level for carbon
free/renewable energy for the upcoming year. The deadline is Nov 1, 2025.
MRES through the Bright Energy Choices program sets aside current carbon free
& renewable attributes from either currently owned assets, market purchases or
bilateral contracts for carbon free/renewable energy from other companies.
MRES maintains an inventory of Renewable Energy Credits (REC's) that are
used to meet State regulatory compliance or local municipal utility carbon
free/renewable energy goals.
GM Carter provided 7 options to discuss. Currently for the coming year of 2026,
HUC is starting off with 25% Carbon Free Energy before purchasing additional
REC's. This is a decrease of 9% from 2025 where HUC started with 35% Carbon
Free energy. The 9% reduction is from a reduction in nuclear REC's (7%) and a
reduction in Market purchases that can be claimed as renewable (2%).
GM Carter reviewed the option that was chosen for 2025 with 45% Renewable
REC's along with the impact of the 4 customers that want to be 100% renewable.
Conversations were held on the different options, HUC's portfolio and the
budgetary impact.
Motion by Commissioner Martinez, second by Commissioner Silvernale for Option
#1 to meet the minimum standards. Motion carried unanimously.
9. Adjourn
There being no further business, a motion by Commissioner Silvernale, second by
Commissioner Marinez to adjourn the meeting at 3:45pm. Motion carried
unanimously,
Don Martinez, Secretary
ATTEST:
'aC heney, Presi - nt
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