The Regional Planning Advisory Committee convened at 8:16 a.m. The meeting then shifted to legislative matters, where government relations attorney Rick Kubat discussed the Nebraska Legislature’s LB9. Kubat highlighted the bill’s inclusion of a residential electricity sales tax exemption, mentioning that MUD will testify in a neutral capacity but supports removing the regressive sales tax on utilities. He expressed hope that the exemption might be extended to natural gas consumption.
In the construction and operations update, senior vice president and CFO Kendall Minor reported the completion of job #WP1920 and progress on gas relocation projects tied to Omaha’s streetcar route, particularly job #R2300. MUD has invested $2.6 million in these relocations, with Omaha set to reimburse up to $7.6 million.
Personnel matters included a report from vice president Bonnie Savine, who shared that MUD’s workforce had grown to 905 employees by July 31. She also recommended wage increases and salary adjustments for several employees. The board adjourned at 9:05 a.m.
Meeting documented by Will Ramsey
Read full meeting notes here
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Leah Wambui Keinama boasts a robust professional journey, commencing as a systems engineer and integrator within the software industry. In this capacity, she excelled in the conception, design, construction, and deployment of software systems, adeptly managing projects from inception to completion. Transitioning into the nonprofit realm, Leah directed her expertise towards enhancing food systems, with a particular emphasis on soil health, regenerative agriculture, and bolstering food accessibility while fostering resilient communities. Her repertoire includes comprehensive program design skills coupled with a profound commitment to community engagement. Leah's fervor for cultivating networks and forging meaningful connections underscores her dedication to advancing organizational goals.
