PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
SECOND QUARTER PROJECT UPDATES … Bryan Board of Public Affairs board members Jeremy Suffel (left) and Brian Davis (right) listen to a presentation made by BMU’s utility departments regarding second quarter project updates at its meeting on Monday, July 13.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan Board of Public Affairs met in a regular session on Monday, July 13. Board members present were Debra Beevers, Jeremy Suffel, Brian Davis, Karen Ford, and Annette Schreiner.
Mayor Carrie Schlade, Clerk-Treasurer John Lehner, Director of Utilities Derek Schultz, and City Attorney Marc Fishel were also present.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the board approved the minutes of the June 30, 2026, meeting and the clerk-treasurer report.
Board members were updated by the utility departments regarding second quarter projects.
Water Department
Schultz reported that the total revenue through the second quarter is $1.54 million, exceeding the expected year-to-date budget target by $154,021 and representing 55.6% of the annual budget, compared to a target of 50%.
Total expenses through the second quarter are $1.65 million, which is $123,637 above the expected year-to-date budget target and represents 54% of the annual budget, compared to a target of 50%.
It was noted the department made approximately $300,000 in debt service and maintenance-related payments, including Townline Road and AMI debt service, and the water tower maintenance agreement.
The combined water fund balances totaled $4.16 million through the second quarter, representing a $70,638 increase compared to the beginning of the year.
The 502 O&M Fund decreased $115,000 year-to-date, reflecting normal operating activity and expenditures exceeding revenue during the first half of the year.
The 525 Capital Fund increased $186,000 year-to-date, primarily due to the transfer completed earlier in the year to support capital projects.
Overall, the fund balances remain stable and support ongoing operations and planned water system improvements.
BMU Operations Manager Jimmy Dunning updated the BPA board to highlight completed water distribution projects.
-Waterline Replacement Projects: 100 block of East Bement Street, 800-900 block of Navarre Avenue.
-System Repairs: The department has made repairs to three fire hydrants, four water services, one valve, and three water mains.
-New Installations: Six residential water services.
-Miscellaneous Projects: Concrete repairs, yard repairs, and fire hydrant flushing.
Water Treatment Projects
-Rosemount Meter Calibration.
-Backflow Testing.
-UPS Installation for chlorine scale.
-Ohio EPA Compliance: Emergency Contingency Plan Update and Review; 2025 Consumer Confidence Report; Ohio EPA Annual Monitoring Schedule; Lead and Copper Sampling; and Nitrate Sampling.
Upcoming Projects:
-Bryan Water Tower Interior Painting.
-Red Sand Filter Cleaning to be done next week.
-Lead Service Line Inventory Updates, which is due next fall.
-Header and Control Valve Installation.
-Courtney & Associates: Water rate study.
-Water System Improvements: Jones & Henry general plan; Bennett & Williams Hydro Phase I and II to be completed this year.
-Waterline Replacement Projects: 300 block of South Emmett Street; 300-500 block of West Bryan Street; and 700-900 block of East Mulberry Street.
Electric Department
Schultz reported that the total revenue through the second quarter is $11.19 million, exceeding the expected year-to-date budget target by $787,000 and representing 53.8% of the annual budget, compared to a target of 50%.
Total expenses through the second quarter are $10.37 million, which is $107,000 below the expected year-to-date budget level and represents 49.5% of the annual budget, compared to a target of 50%.
The combined electric fund balances totaled $22.5 million through the second quarter, representing a $2.43 million increase compared to the beginning of the year.
Schultz noted the 501 O&M Fund increased $822,000 year-to-date, reflecting positive operating activity and cash flow through the first half of the year.
The 515 Capital Fund increased by $1.61 million year-to-date, primarily due to the transfer completed earlier in the year to support planned capital projects.
Overall, the electric fund balances remain strong and support ongoing operations and capital improvements.
Power Plant Superintendent Jim Coressel updated on the power plant projects, including the substation transformer bushing and surge arrestor replacement that was completed.
He also mentioned the GT2 Black Start System, which is now maintained and operational, and the GT2 overheating issue was resolved with an engine rebuild in place. The maintenance building with utility-wide equipment is operational and ready for use.
Coressel also reported on the following projects the electric department has completed or has yet to complete.
Auglaize Hydroelectric Plant and Solar:
Field Projects
-Auglaize generator intake maintenance is completed.
-Auglaize facility maintenance and equipment training conducted.
-Solar field had an inverter failure and assessed damaged panels from the hailstorm in March, and repairs are underway.
-Ongoing vegetation management.
Electric Distribution
BMU Electric Department Supervisor Al Sullivan updated on the projects involving the electric distribution department.
-Ordered three 69kV overhead gang switches to enable remote switching capabilities on the 69kV line from the power plant to Edgerton Street intersections.
-Competitively bid a 100-foot bucket truck with an estimated delivery at the end of this year.
-Autumn Chase Extension: Installed primary and secondary cables, set transformers, and terminated primary and secondary conductors to establish service. Two new streetlights remain to be installed for 11 lots.
-Arts & Education Building: Removed primary service and installed temporary three-phase service. The remaining work to be done is installing a new three-phase service.
-East Wilson Street to Daggett Substation: Removed 69kV and 12kV overhead conductors.
-Dave Swanson building is located on the north side of the courthouse square. Energized three-phase service, installed three-phase disconnect and three-gang meter base. Energized single-phase streetlight circuit and relocated meter base.
-Marquis Corridor and distribution line clearance with Asplundh Tree Service.
-Williams County Courthouse Joint Project:
-Installed single-phase service on the southeast corner of Courthouse Square.
-Installed a new riser pole in the 100 block of East Butler Street
-Relocated existing transformer.
-Completed yard and pavement repairs.
-Aldi, Inc.: Energized new service in the South Towne Strip Mall.
-Spangler Candy Bit-O-Honey: Ordered three-phase recloser, controller and new primary metering to be installed October 2026 during plant shutdown.
-Upgraded electric service and provisions for future backup power at the BMU Administrative Building.
-Fountain Creek Senior Housing Project: Meter bases have been purchased. Contractor installing conduit, transformer box pads and junction boxes. The remaining work to be done is pulling in conductors.
Communications Department
Communications Department Supervisor Mike Lyons reviewed the department’s projects with the BPA.
-JFS Building: Spliced second pair of fiber.
-Rays Drive: Cutover completed with Metalink for service transition.
-Department of Developmental Disabilities Building: Cutover completed.
-Cabinets: Installed new splice case cabinets for fiber distribution. The remaining work to be done is to replace old node cabinets.
-Daggett Substation: Spliced in new 24-count fiber bypassing Daggett Substation after removing old fiber.
-Pole Transfers: Moving fiber from old poles to new poles.
-Office 365 Migration: Utility- and city-wide.
Upcoming Projects:
-Arts & Education Building: New fiber installation.
-Request from RTEC Communications to provide last-mile service for a cell tower on South Street and a new Parkview connection.
-Montpelier Parks and Recreation Office to replace damaged fiber.
-Electric switching pole fiber construction to support remote operations and system automation.
Engineering Department
Engineering Department Supervisor Brock Beck updated on a number of projects going on in the second quarter.
-Water Main Replacements: On-site inspection and as-built drawings for the 100 block of East Bement Street and 800 block of Navarre Avenue.
-Design and plan submittal to Ohio EPA involving the 300 block of South Emmett Street.
-Electric Distribution Projects:
-Installed and energized electric service for the Dave Swanson building and Aldi, Inc.
-Installed electric service for the Fountain Creek Senior Villas project.
-Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Continuous updates to BMU’s maps for water, electric, and communications infrastructure.
The board went into an executive session to discuss the hiring of public employees and consulted with City Attorney Marc Fishel concerning pending litigation. No action was taken.
The next meeting will be on Monday, July 27, at 5 p.m.