SWORN IN…From left, Brian Davis, Bob Eyre, and Karen Ford were officially sworn in to serve four-year terms effective on January 1, 2026, on the Bryan Board of Public Affairs prior to the regular meeting on Tuesday, December 16.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan Board of Public Affairs held its final meeting for 2025 on Tuesday, December 16, and recognized two outgoing board members, Dick Long and Jim Salsbury, who are retiring after 12 years of service.
Prior to the regular meeting, Bryan Mayor Carrie Schlade administered the oath of office to BPA members, Bob Eyre, Karen Ford and newcomer Brian Davis.
All three members will be serving four-year terms beginning on January 1, 2026. The board needs to fill one vacancy, which will eventually be appointed for a two-year term.
Director of Utilities Derek Schultz thanked Long and Salsbury for their outstanding service on the Board of Public Affairs.
“Both (Dick Long and Jim Salsbury) have dedicated 12 years on the board and worked through countless projects and important decisions in helping shape the utility in the City of Bryan,” lauded Schultz.
Schlade appreciated that she had learned a lot from both Long and Salsbury as BPA board members over the years.
“I know sometimes we didn’t always agree, but I really value your friendship and the way you fought for the utility over the years,” said Schlade.
“Thank you for your dedication and appreciated when both of you at different times stepped in and being the acting director. I know that it took you away from everything to do that in a full-time capacity with no pay.”
She then added that Long and Salsbury will be sorely missed and appreciated for their service to the community.
Salsbury said there were some disagreements at times, but they always tried to do what he thought was best for the utilities, but the board and council have worked together.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s not the board that makes the utility work, it’s the employees, and they need to know that,” said Salsbury.
Long commented that there has been a share of disagreements over the years, but he stressed that it was constructive but never destructive in decision-making for Bryan Utilities.
“Thanks for the 12 years,” said Long. “One thing I would like to say is I would like to thank all the employees and department heads for the hard work they do.
“I just hope the present board and the new board take care of those employees, and they’ll take care of you.”
The board approved a resolution authorizing Schultz to advertise for bids for a 2026 insulated aerial lift bucket truck for the electric department.
It will replace Truck No. 50, which is a 2001 International Bucket Truck that has become obsolete and for which parts are not readily available for repair or replacement.
The bidding process for a 100-foot working-height bucket truck, which will be used primarily for overhead transmission line work and capable of handling transmission-level poles ranging from 60 to 110 feet in height, will begin on December 22 with a bid submission deadline of January 22, 2026.
Schultz gave an update on the solar field project, with several agreements expected to be approved in January.
Schlade thanked both Schultz and Clerk-Treasurer John Lehner for their work in adopting a state-required Cybersecurity policy, which goes into effect by the end of the year, with very little guidance.
“They (Schultz and Lehner) worked for a long time to create that policy and make sure we were in compliance,” noted the mayor.
“We are still doing some tweaking on parts that are confidential, and council passed that last night.”
An executive session followed, and the Board of Public Affairs took the following actions.
-Passed an amended resolution authorizing wage adjustments for non-bargaining and hourly and salaried staff.
-Authorized Schultz to enter into a collective bargaining agreement with IBEW Local 245 based on the tentative agreement.