Program Brings New Focus on Municipal Utilities

To meet the needs of Kentucky’s municipal utilities, the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) is focusing on serving them. A new targeted effort creates a partnership between KLC and municipal utilities and includes many members of the former Kentucky Municipal Utilities Association, which dissolved its operations.

KLC Executive Director/ CEO J.D. Chaney said, “I am enthusiastic about the opportunity for KLC to further extend its services to utilities because they are central to the functioning and future of Kentucky cities.”

Municipal utilities are critical to cities and the commonwealth. They provide quality of life and infrastructure for most Kentuckians as most of us live in cities, and more than 75% of economic development takes place in a city.

The program consists of all types of utilities. Those already affiliated with KLC member cities as well as non-affiliated municipal utilities are participating.

Through the program, KLC provides focused lobbying services on utility issues, training, networking, events management, access to all KLC staff and services, and other resources. In establishing the new program, KLC worked with several utilities to design an annual fee structure and agreement. Berea Municipal Utilities General Manager Kevin Howard represents utilities on the KLC Board of Directors.

“The needs of utilities are very specific,” said Howard. “The resources that KLC brings to support them are extremely valuable. It’s a perfect fit.”

“As the program grows, we hope to see more involvement from all utility managers across the state,” said Jeri McCullough, KLC director of Member and Business Development. “Our goal is to serve their specific needs and explore opportunities.”

The next meeting of the group is July 11-12 in Owensboro. The program welcomes all municipal utilities. For more information on the program and its benefits, contact KLC Member Relations Manager Terri Johnson.

“Utilities are literally the infrastructure of our communities,” said Johnson. “We look forward to working with, serving, and learning from these utility leaders.”