A Partnership for the People

Recently, an issue arose regarding services provided by Coal Creek Utility District to the City of Newcastle. Since February of 2000, the District has provided storm management services for the City by contract approved by the Board of Commissioners and the City Council.

For many years prior to the formal contract, the District provided various services to the City upon request. These services included flood control, emergency road repairs and right-of-way maintenance. The City paid the District for the labor, equipment, and material cost for these services.

In 1999 the City invited the District to submit a proposal to maintain the City's storm system due to the District’s expertise, equipment, competitive cost, and proximity to the City. The District and City then formalized their partnership by Interlocal Agreement.

Since approving the Interlocal Agreement, the City and its citizens have received prompt and high quality service from the District at a competitive cost. Later the District started providing additional street and park maintenance services at the City's request. The City Council annually approved City budgets that included funds for these additional services. To date, the District has provided all of these services in a professional and cost effective manner while maintaining it's sixteen consecutive years of clean audits from the State Auditors Office.

Given this long term and beneficial relationship, it is the District’s expectation and hope that the City and the District can resolve any issues regarding service contracts. In serving it's customers, the District's primary consideration has always been, “What is in the best interest of the rate payers?” The District feels that a cooperative and productive relationship with the City is in the best interest of the rate payers and also furthers the common goal of providing high quality, prompt and cost effective services to our constituents. We hope to continue our partnership with the City for the benefit of the people.

Thomas Peadon

General Manager

Coal Creek Utility District