Lighting the Path Forward For Water Valley Electric
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By the Water Valley
Electric Commission
On Monday evening, July 28 at 7 p.m., we, as the designated Commissioners of the newly-formed Water Valley Electric Commission, will hold our first meeting at City Hall. This is a moment that marks not only a beginning, but what has potential to be bright future for our community.
Although we don’t officially assume our duties until August 1st, we will take our oaths of office and hit the ground running at the work session on July 28th. As will be the case will all the business of the Water Valley Electric Commission, our meetings will be open to the public and you are invited to attend.
At this work session, we will be honored to welcome representatives from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association (TVPPA), and our engineering partners at Atwell & Gent. Their presence reflects the strength and importance of relationships and their belief in Water Valley’s potential to be a leader in municipal utility excellence, transparency, and innovation. We will cover many topics, but the night’s main focus will be on electric system planning and detailing the needed upgrades and maintenance to reduce outages and provide for a stronger system. It’s important we have a clear and honest picture of the challenges and opportunities ahead. We hope you’ll find the work session valuable as a tool to be better informed as we chart the future together.
As a customer of the electric system, you are more than just an account number, you are an owner. We intend to start off this journey by looking at issues through the eyes of the owners of the electric system, constantly being on the hunt for ways to improve our operations to better serve you. As a customer and owner, you should know that our top priorities as a Commission are to reduce outages, be financially responsible with every penny, keep rates reasonable, ensure that the people of Water Valley continue to own the electric system and prepare for the challenges of the future.
As commissioners, we take these responsibilities seriously. That’s why we issued invitations to the Mississippi Ethics Commission and the State Auditor’s Office to provide training sessions to the Commission and staff on current law, rules and regulations concerning the handling of public dollars, property and the proper conduct of public business.
Luckily, both Ethics Commission Director Tom Hood and State Auditor Shad White readily agreed to our request and will provide this vital training to the Commission in the month of August with a mix of in- person and video conference work sessions. These training sessions are designed to ensure our operations and work align with the highest standards of ethics and accountability from the outset. We’re laying the foundation for a commission, long past our terms of office, that not only serves, but earns the trust of every household and business in Water Valley.
As a Commission, we will work with appropriate agencies and partners to make sure employees of the electric system receive any additional training needed to protect their safety and we will work to earnestly invest in their careers through professional development.
From executive management to lineman training to customer service skills, we want to invest in our employees to best serve our customers while enhancing their skill sets and providing a positive work environment.
Electric service touches every part of our lives—from how we power our homes, businesses and industries to how Water Valley prepares for the future. Our mission is to make sure Water Valley’s electric infrastructure is not only reliable, but resilient, sustainable, and responsive to the community it serves at rates that are affordable.
This is an open invitation for residents, stakeholders, and partners to be part of this journey.
Your voice, your ideas, and your engagement are what will make this Commission strong and help us get the work done that is vitally needed to ensure services for years to come. We welcome you to attend our meetings and be part of shaping a model utility commission built on professionalism, cooperation and integrity with the needs of the customers at the very center of everything we do.
We’re not just flipping a switch to a new form of governance of the electric system on August 1st—we’re building something lasting for the benefit of the people of Water Valley. With the support and input of customers, neighbors and partners, Water Valley will be positioned to shine bright for years to come. We look forward to working alongside each of you.
Water Valley
Electric Commissioners
Terry L. Allen, Jr.
Ray Hawkins
Vickie Person
Brandon Presley
Barry L. Weeks
