City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes  
Water and Light Advisory Board  
701 E Broadway  
Columbia, MO  
Conference Room  
1A/1B  
Wednesday, December 10, 2025  
8:00 AM  
Regular  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
Mrs. Jennifer Coleman called the meeting to order at 8:01 a.m.  
Staff: Erin Keys, Utilities Director; Sarah Talbert, Assistant Director Utilities-Rates  
and Fiscal Planning; Gwen Corches, Assistant Director Utilities-Electric; Allison  
Anderson, Assistant Director Utilities-Water; Maggie Jones, Engineering  
Supervisor-Water; Ron Wyble, Power Supply Manager; David Storvick, Engineering  
Manager-Electric; Todd McVicker, Utility Services Manager; Jason West,  
Communication and Outreach Supervisor; Matt Nestor, Public Information Specialist;  
Aubrey Turner, Public Information Specialist; Paige Adams, Public Information  
Specialist; Earl Kraus, Assistant City Counselor; Christina Weaver, Administrative  
Technician II  
Betsy Peters, City Council  
4 - David Switzer, Philip Fracica, Jennifer Coleman and Ryan Westwood  
1 - Thomas Jensen  
Present:  
Absent:  
II. INTRODUCTIONS  
A round robin was done for introductions.  
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Mr. David Switzer made a motion to approve the agenda as submitted with a  
second by Mr. Phillip Fracica. Motion passed unanimously.  
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
The November 12, 2025 meeting minutes were approved as submitted with a  
motion by Mr. Ryan Westwood and a second by Mr. Phillip Fracica. Motion  
passed unanimously.  
Attachments: Meeting Minutes Draft 11 12 25.pdf  
V. MISO LOAD FORECAST  
a) MISO Load Forecast  
Brandon Williams with The Energy Authority presented the MISO Load Forecast  
virtually. The monthly forecast is a linear regression model. The inputs are: CMWL  
monthly total energy and peak demand history for January 2005 through July 2025,  
monthly historical weather data for January 1995 through July 2025, and Woods &  
Poole economic data for Boone County (which allowed the model to choose between  
6 different economic indicators and find which one fit best to load history). The  
outputs are the monthly system totals and peak load for CMWL, and separate  
models are utilized for each season. The 6 economic growth variables that were  
tested for Boone County using data from Woods & Poole are: total population, total  
employment, total personal income, gross regional product, number of households,  
and total retail sales. Additional considerations are energy efficiency, electric vehicles,  
and behind-the-meter (BTM) generation. Projected growth in BTM generation is  
expected to more than offset electric vehicle charging impacts through 2039. Electric  
vehicle charging has a lower impact on peak demand relative to total energy, due to  
lower charging during afternoon hours (summer peak periods). As part of MISO’s  
resource adequacy process, CMWL is required to forecast seasonal peak demand  
coincident with MISO Zone 5 and the MISO System. To derive coincident peak,  
non-coincident peak is multiplied by a coincidence factor, which is the ratio of  
coincident peak to non-coincident peak. As maximum temperature deviates from  
MISO system peak-producing temperatures, CMWL’s coincidence factor declines.  
There is an increase in fall coincident peak demand, with similar coincident peak in all  
other seasons.  
Mr. David Switzer asked what the next steps are, and Mrs. Sarah Talbert informed  
him that TEA has already submitted the load forecast to MISO.  
Mr. Ryan Westwood asked for any insight about how the EV data has changed, and  
Mr. Brandon Williams explained that an adjustment had to be made to account for the  
loss of the EV tax credit that expired this year. The EV forecast is a little lower every  
year, and there’s not a steep growth projected in the late 2030’s like in the prior  
projection.  
Attachments: CMWL 2025 Long-Term Load Forecast.pdf  
VI. FINANCIAL REPORTS (as available)  
a) Monthly Financial Reports  
Mrs. Sarah Talbert presented the monthly financial reports through September. The  
quarterly financial statements are preliminary and unaudited. The cash and cash  
equivalents of water and electric are up from the same time in June 2025; overall, the  
cash is up about $22 million. The monthly billed water and electric usage is up from  
June of 2025 but lower than September of 2024. Operating revenues for both water  
and electric are higher than the same time last year. Operating expenses for both  
water and electric are higher than the same time last year. September represents  
100% of the budget year. Water operating revenues are currently at 100.2% of the  
budget; same time last year was 105.8% of the budget. Electric operating revenues  
are currently at 105.1% of the budget; same time last year was at 106.3% of the  
budget. Water operating expenditures are currently at 85.7% of the budget; same  
time last year was at 83.5% of the budget. Electric operating expenditures are  
currently at 90.9% of the budget; same time last year was at 96.2% of the budget. On  
the water statement, residential sales are up about $700 thousand from this time last  
year and commercial sales are up about $300 thousand from this time last year.  
Water operating expenses are up about $900 thousand from this time last year, which  
is primarily due to water main repairs and replacing water meters. On the electric  
statement, residential sales are up about $3.3 million from this time last year and  
commercial sales are up about $3 million from this time last year. Electric operating  
expenses for production are down $1.2 million from this time last year because  
repairs and modification to Unit 4 at CEC were done in 2024. Electric expenses for  
power purchase are up about $13 million from this time last year.  
Attachments: FY 2025 Summary Change in Billed usage for Water and Electric.pdf  
FY 2026 Summary Change in Billed usage for Water and Electric.pdf  
September 2025 - Preliminary Financials.pdf  
September 2025 Statement Memo.pdf  
September Financial Statements comments.pdf  
VII. DIRECTOR'S REPORT  
a) Review Water Irrigation Ordinance  
Mrs. Maggie Jones informed the board that they took the irrigation ordinance draft to  
Building and Site Development and Neighborhood Services since they will be the  
enforcers of it. A meeting will be held with the inspectors at Neighborhood Services in  
January. Mrs. Erin Keys stated that Parks and Recreation didn’t have any concerns  
about being able to follow the ordinance.  
b) Annual Water Tier Report  
Mrs. Sarah Talbert presented the annual water tier report. The residential sales in  
CCFs went down about 18 thousand and the overall revenues went up $300  
thousand compared to FY24. The master meter sales in CCFs went down about 2  
thousand and overall revenues went up $5 thousand compared to FY24. The small  
commercial sales in CCFs went down about 4 thousand and overall revenues went up  
about $92 thousand compared to FY24. The large commercial sales in CCFs went  
up about 9 thousand and revenues went up about $48 thousand compared to FY24.  
In total, sales in CCFs went down about 15 thousand and overall revenues went up  
about $458 thousand compared to FY24.  
Attachments: FY25 Water Data for W&L Board.pdf  
Summer Cooling Degree Days.pdf  
Summer Days with Zero Rainfall by Year.pdf  
Summer Precipitation by Year.pdf  
c) Final FY 2026 O&M  
Mrs. Sarah Talbert provided the final FY 2026 water and electric O&M budgets.  
Attachments: Final FY 2026 Electric O&M budget.pdf  
Final FY 2026 Water O&M Budget.pdf  
d) Final FY 2026 CIP Budget  
Mrs. Sarah Talbert gave a brief overview of the FY 2026 water and electric CIP  
budgets.  
There was an email from Jim Windsor regarding the CIP, and Mrs. Sarah Talbert  
informed the board that there are internal processes outlined in the CIP manual that  
are followed before the CIP is brought forward to the board.  
Attachments: Final FY 2026 Electric CIP.pdf  
Final FY 2026 Water CIP.pdf  
e) Monthly Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) Report  
Mrs. Sarah Talbert presented the monthly power cost adjustment report for October  
2025. Purchased power is up about $10 million. Energy sold is 24 million kWh less  
than what was forecasted. The PCA is capped for October, November, and  
December.  
Attachments: PCA Board Report - October 2025 Preliminary True-Up.pdf  
f) Quarterly Disconnection Update  
Mrs. Sarah Talbert presented the quarterly disconnection update. In October about  
4% of the active utility accounts were delinquent and actual disconnections were  
0.9% of the active utility accounts. There was over $1 million in total pledges between  
October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025. There were less than 4 thousand total  
disconnections between October 2024 and September 2025.  
Attachments: Pending disconnects for WLAB.pdf  
g) 3rd Quarter Renewable Energy Report  
Mrs. Sarah Talbert provided the 3rd quarter renewable energy report. The City was  
at 21.09% through September, which is below the 25% threshold. The City curtailed  
31% more in the third quarter than last year for Contract 1 and 34% for contract 2  
for Crystal Lake. The City told them to stop generating because the price got below  
the negative production tax credit price due to congestion. The Jefferson City Landfill  
(Ameresco) reduced due to high temperatures and low moisture for most of the last 3  
months; additionally, they have only been running 1 or 2 units most of the time an  
were offline completely for a stretch in September.  
Attachments: 3rd Quarter Renewable Report.pdf  
h) 4th Quarter CIP Progress Report  
Mrs. Sarah Talbert gave a brief overview of the 4th quarter water and electric CIP  
progress reports. The water CIP hasn’t changed much; they are still working on the  
plant and the West Ash project is getting started. The electric CIP hasn’t changed  
since the last time the board reviewed it.  
Attachments: 4th Quarter Electric CIP Report.pdf  
4th Quarter Water CIP Report.pdf  
i) Council Item Update  
Mrs. Sarah Talbert presented the council item updates. There were no Water and  
Electric items on the November 3 and November 17 meetings. At the council meeting  
on December 1, Council Bill 321-25 was introduced. The transmission project  
council work session will be on February 9.  
Attachments: Council Item Updates - November 2025.pdf  
j) APPA Training  
Mrs. Sarah Talbert informed the board there will be a virtual training on December 16  
in Conference Room 1A/1B in City Hall. She also presented other training  
opportunities to the board but the board would prefer to wait for future opportunities.  
Attachments: Potential Future APPA Training.pdf  
VIII. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT  
a) Public Input Meeting Follow-Up  
Mrs. Jennifer Coleman addressed the public request for a mailing list for updates on  
the board’s schedule. The City will need logistics from the IT Department to set up an  
online sign-up form.  
b) Advisory Board Report to Council  
Mrs. Sarah Talbert provided the drafted advisory board report for City Council. The  
board reviewed and discussed the document. Some changes were made.  
Attachments: WLAB_FY2025_Annual_Report.pdf  
c) WLAB 2025/2026 Goals  
Mrs. Sarah Talbert provided the board’s 2025/2026 drafted goals. The board  
reviewed the document and made changes. Point 3a’s language has been changed to:  
‘Continue review of the power cost adjustment policy to determine if amendments are  
required.’ Point 3c has been added as follows: ‘Review affordability metrics for  
electric utility.’ Point 2d has been added as follows: ‘Create a process for public  
engagement when the board is voting on a given agenda topic.’ Point 2e has been  
added as follows: ‘Review and determine a process for addressing email public  
comments.’ Point 1b has been added as follows: ‘Continue support for energy  
efficiency programs.’ Point 5b has been added as follows: ‘Participate in transmission  
line planning process.’  
The WLAB FY2026 Goals were approved with the changes made with a motion  
by Mr. David Switzer and a second by Mr. Phillip Fracica. Motion passed  
unanimously.  
Attachments: WLAB Goals.pdf  
d) Rolling Calendar  
Mrs. Sarah Talbert presented the rolling calendar and some changes were made.  
Attachments: WL Rolling Agenda December.pdf  
IX. PUBLIC EMAIL COMMENTS  
Jim Windsor’s emails were addressed when the board discussed the CIP report.  
Mrs. Sarah Talbert noted that the Warehouse project mentioned in Jim Windsor’s  
email is no longer on the CIP.  
Attachments: WLABPublic_ Prepare For FY27 CIP - Windsor Example.pdf  
WLABPublic_ Prepare For FY27 CIP - Windsor.pdf  
X. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, MEMBERS AND STAFF  
Mrs. Erin Keys announced that Mrs. Maggie Jones completed Columbia Leadership  
Academy training and presented her with a certificate of completion. Mrs. Erin Keys  
announced Mrs. Sarah Talbert is retiring in January 2, 2026 and thanked her for 27  
years and 1 month of service.  
XI. NEXT MEETING DATE  
January 14, 2026  
XII. ADJOURNMENT  
The meeting adjourned at 10:24 a.m. on a motion by Mr. David Switzer and a  
second by Mr. Ryan Westwood. Motion passed unanimously.  
To submit questions or comments to the Water & Light Advisory Board, please email  
wlabpublic@como.gov.  
All media inquiries should be submitted to Matt Nestor at Matthew.Nestor@como.gov or Jason West at  
Jason.West@como.gov.  
Members of the public may attend any open meeting. For requests for accommodations related to  
disability, please call 573.874.CITY (2489) or email CITY@CoMo.gov. In order to assist staff in making  
the appropriate arrangements for your accommodation, please make your request as far in advance of  
the posted meeting date as possible.  
USB DRIVES PROHIBITED: A speaker who desires to display a presentation must upload the  
presentation, in advance, to the city network using an upload portal. To upload your files and learn  
more, visit CoMo.gov/upload.