Trenton’s electric fund savings are offset by $230,000 in critical repair needs and new fees

Trenton’s proposed electric fund budget reflects lower production costs thanks to annual credits from the Missouri Public Utility Alliance, but faces immediate pressure from $240,000 in identified repairs and a new proposal to recover payment processing fees. The credits do not reduce rates directly but appear as bill credits, helping lower total production expenses to $4,944,352.80—down from a projected $5,719,099.36 in the current budget. Despite the savings, the city must address critical infrastructure issues: a leaking oil transformer at the north substation requires $75,000 in repairs, a south substation breaker damaged by a raccoon needs $55,000 to replace, and engine control systems at the north substation require approximately $110,000 per unit in upgrades. Interim City Administrator Scot Wrighton also recommended setting aside funds to hire a consultant for long-term electric fund planning over the next five to ten years. The city may include a placeholder for a $1.4 million FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant, for which Trenton would be responsible for 25%, or $350,000. Meanwhile, a policy approved by the Trenton Administrative Committee on March 31 would allow the city to charge $1.50 for each debit card transaction and 3% on any credit card payment for city bills. If adopted at the April 13 meeting, the fee recovery measure could be incorporated into the budget ahead of its scheduled hearing and approval on April 27.