Michael Kumm
General Manager
(320) 234-0505
mkumm@ci.hutchinson.mn.us
Steve Lancaster
Director Electric Division
(320) 234-0547
slancaster@ci.hutchinson.mn.us
John Webster
Director Natural Gas Division
(320) 234-0507
jwebster@ci.hutchinson.mn.us
Randy Blake
Production Manager
(320) 234-0551
rblake@ci.hutchinson.mn.us
Dave Hunstad
Electric Manager
(320) 234-0508
dhunstad@ci.hutchinson.mn.us
Daniel Lang
Technical Services Manager
(320)234-0564
dlang@ci.hutchinson.mn.us
Jan Sifferath
Customer/Human Relations Manager
(320) 234-0540
jsifferath@ci.hutchinson.mn.us
Jon Guthmiller
Energy Conservation Administrator
(320) 234-0506
jguthmiller@ci.hutchinson.mn.us
Hutchinson Utilities Commission
225 Michigan ST SE
Hutchinson, MN 55350-1905
Office: (320) 587-4746
Fax: (320) 587-4721
Monday - Friday
7:30 am to 4:00 pm
business Information
Business Office Hours
Office hours:
Monday - Friday
7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Contact Information
Mailing address for business office:
225 Michigan ST SE
Hutchinson, MN 55350-1905
General Offices and Account Support Information
(320) 587-4746
Fax: (320) 587-4721
E-mail:
kkoski@ci.hutchinson.mn.ussnelson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us
Emergency Service Information
IN AN EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL 911 and HUTCHINSON UTILITIES COMMISSION
Emergency Service Phone Numbers (24 hrs/day):
System Control Emergency Number - 1-877-593-3973 or 320-587-4745
History
The Municipal Electric Light Plant was established in 1935 as a result of a special election authorizing the establishment of a new generating plant and distribution system through a bond issue of $250,000 to pay for the construction. The vote was 1,187 for and 128 against. Contracts were awarded for the construction of a new power plant building at the intersection of State Highways 7 and 15. The contract included three (3) 625 hp 430 kW diesel generating units, switchboard, a complete distribution system and other auxiliary equipment. On November 28, 1936 construction was completed and by January of 1937, over 600 customers were connected. By the end of March, the system was serving 1,171.
The City Charter was amended in 1935 to create a Utilities Commission to manage and operate the system.
In 1960, the City constructed a natural gas distribution system, buying natural gas from Northern Natural Gas Company, and selling it to the citizens of Hutchinson and the surrounding rural area. Natural gas is also used in firing the dual generating units of the light plant.
Since 1936, the Hutchinson Utilities Commission, consisting of three (3) qualified voters of the City of Hutchinson, has operated the Municipal Electric Plant and the Natural Gas Distribution System. It was established in Section 17 of the City Charter that the Commissioners be appointed by the City Council, one (1) every two years, for a six year term. No Commissioner can serve more than two (2) successive terms. The Commission elects a President, Vice President, and Secretary.
In November of 1987, the City Charter was amended to expand the Utilities Commission to a five (5) member board. Each Commissioner's term will be five (5) years and no Commissioner can serve more than two (2) successive terms.
The City Charter gives the Commission full, absolute and exclusive control of and power over the City Light and Power Plant and the Natural Gas Distribution System. The Commission hires a General Manager to manage the day-to-day operation of the Utilities.
The Hutchinson Utilities Commission has, for many years, made substantial cash contributions to the General Fund of the City of Hutchinson from surplus earnings of both the electric and gas divisions of the Utilities.
Hutchinson Utilities Commission has provided and will continue to provide to its customers, electricity and natural gas at the lowest possible cost.
MISSION - VALUES - VISION
Mission: The Hutchinson Utilities Commission will provide economical, reliable electric and natural gas service within our service territory and the Midwest, while contributing to the economic vitality of the City of Hutchinson and our customers.
Values: We value the concepts of local control, innovativeness, flexibility in our decision making, and conduct our business in an environmentally responsible manner.
We value our community our customers and our employees. We value an employee friendly workplace, provide skills training, and provide a safe work environment.
Vision Statements:
1. As we move into the next decade, Hutchinson Utilities Commission will continue to be a locally owned public utility that anticipates and meets the community's utility needs at the lowest achievable rates. Hutchinson Utilities Commission, as a publicly owned enterprise, is vital to the community to maintain and enhance the quality of life, the economy, and the environment.
2. As a publicly owned enterprise in a competitive environment, the Utilities is a role model for the public sector with its streamlined form of governance. While the city maintains ultimate control, the utilities and its board have autonomy for the critical operation and policy decisions that are necessary for competitive success. Hutchinson Utilities Commission has earned this freedom to pursue courses of action as required within broad policy guidelines.
3. Hutchinson Utilities Commission recognizes that it is a municipally owned business enterprise, as such it will continue to look for opportunities to grow as a business. As an enterprise fund of the City of Hutchinson, the Hutchinson Utilities Commission provides direct and indirect benefits to the city and its residents. We contribute a fair return on investment to the city, which in turn helps to reduce taxes in the community. Our governmental and street lighting services are models for local governments across the northern tier of the country. We work closely with city staff to facilitate planned growth in the community and partner with the city wherever possible to share services, thus reducing costs and increasing efficiency for both entities and our customers.
4. Hutchinson Utilities Commission is environmentally conscious and responsible. While continuing to explore its options as it pertains to power and natural gas supply, we actively look for opportunities to expand our use of alternative energies and incorporate its use in our energy portfolio through direct involvement, partnerships, and secondary participation. Recognizing that conservation is an easy, cost effective means to reduce energy consumption, we encourage conservation in our practices, as well as those of our customers.
5. Our industrial and commercial customers view us as partners in their businesses. We anticipate their requirements, we listen to their needs, we respond with flexible services delivered with superior quality, and we work with them to prevent situations that would disrupt service. All commercial and industrial customers recognize the economic and business advantages that Hutchinson Utilities Commission provides. When new businesses consider locating in our area, our commercial and industrial customers point to Hutchinson Utilities Commission as one of the community's primary advantages.
6. Our residential customers view Hutchinson Utilities Commission as the benchmark government organization. We are publicly owned and locally controlled; yet we provide service with productivity and quality levels that exceed those of most private sector organizations. We break the stereotype of rigid and inefficient government organizations. We are innovative and flexible in meeting citizen needs; we care about the community and its environment. We are widely respected for our customer focus, technical expertise, and innovative service development and delivery. Our residential customers are quite aware of the fact that our lower cost service results in more disposable income which helps drive the local economy.
7. As an organization we are able to achieve extraordinary levels of performance because we function as a team. We understand that the only way we can fulfill our mission and stay ahead of the increasing levels of competition is to take advantage of the synergy we can achieve by working together. The people of Hutchinson Utilities Commission reflect the diversity of our customer base, which we see as a strength because that diversity allows us to better understand our customers' requirements. We practice mutual respect daily and have developed effective communication mechanisms that allow personnel to confidently express their concerns regarding problems or barriers that interfere with their ability to deliver outstanding service. These concerns are listened to carefully so issues can be resolved at the level that they occur.
8. We recognize that our competitive position is maintained only through the knowledge and expertise of our people. The people of Hutchinson Utilities Commission are our competitive advantage. Therefore, investments in personnel development are essential to our continued service, innovation, productivity improvements, and customer satisfaction.
9. The people of HUC act in a professional and courteous manner and treat all people, as they would want to be treated. The people of Hutchinson Utilities Commission are ambassadors of the Utilities, and the City of Hutchinson, and are aware of the image they portray to the public.
