IMEA | Insider Newsletter

June 19, 2020

Bluffton Indiana City Hall

Bluffton Municipal Utilities

Bluffton Municipal Utility was established in 1889 serving 5,906 electric customers. Bluffton purchases their power from Indiana Michigan Power. Bluffton is originally known as the “The Parlor City”. In the 1900’s a salesman passing through commented that the brick paved streets made it feel as tidy as a parlor of a home and the pronounced "The Parlor City" remained since. Bluffton has always been recognized for its "Free Street Fair" that is held every year in September. It is one of the largest in the Country.

Utility Manager: Jon Oman

Jon Oman, Utility Manager strives for open communication amongst his employees. Both employees and Jon exceed to provide personal interaction with all Utility customers. Connecting them all on a personal level as to friends, and family. The Bluffton Utility take customer relations very seriously and strive to stay connected with each and everyone.

Safety Is Important at the Utility

The utility is continuously striving to provide the safest workplace they can and has a safety committee that meets regularly as well as interaction with outside organizations to stay on top of the latest safety policies and procedures.

Current Projects

The City of Bluffton and Bluffton Municipal Utilities has three projects underway. The first of the three is a 13.8 million dollar water system improvement project which includes 3,600 ft. of new raw water main and 4,700 ft. of new finished water main. A new 500,000 gallon water sphere and a new 4.25 million gallon a day filtration plant. The second project is a 2.5 million dollar 8,000 ft. 24" sewer main extension to the north part of town. The third project is a 11 million dollar substation venture, one for industrial and the other for commercial / residential enhancements.

We're Thankful for the IMEA Organization!

Jon Oman feels that the IMEA's concern for their safety and well-being is sincere. The guidance and overseeing of their lineman training program is essential to our concentrated efforts reaching our goals. Although we have yet to use the mutual aid emergency assistance program, it is comforting to know it exist.

THANK YOU TO OUR FEATURED ASSOCIATE MEMBER FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE!

Spectrum Engineering Corporation

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Procedures For Requesting Mutual Aid

In the event of a disaster, the IMEA Mutual Aid program is designed to provide trained personnel and assistance to any municipality, IOU or electric cooperative in or outside of the state of Indiana. Our first priority is to dispatch crews to IMEA member communities.

Survey the extent of damage and determine the need for assistance, manpower and equipment.
If the emergency can be handled locally, or with minimal assistance call your neighboring municipal.
If the emergency/disaster is of a larger magnitude, or initially thought to be a local emergency, but the situation has changed, contact IMEA’s Safety and Training Director or the IMEA Coordinators.
When contacting Indiana Municipal Electric Association (IMEA) please provide the following information:
1. Municipals or other entities that you have contacted, and the assistance being provided by that system.
2. Number and type trucks and equipment needed.
3. Number and classification of personnel needed.
4. Weather or road conditions, or any other significant travel information.
5. Where and to whom the crews should report. Provide a second contact person’s name for IMEA.