Electric Department Supervisor Andy Simpson told Cuba aldermen on June 2 that the transformer, requested by Mid-MO Truss, was the wrong one. 

They were expanding and requested a larger transformer and a bid from Sunbelt Solomon for a 750 KVA transformer was previously accepted on July 1, 2025, at $21,500, but at the last minute, Mid-Mo Truss realized that the voltage was wrong. To correct this error, Mid-Mo Truss offered to buy the incorrect transformer from the city at full cost.

To get the correct transformer, the city went out for bids again. The most expensive bid was for $61,577 from Wholesale Electric Supply for the right voltage transformer, which is currently in stock and what Mid-MO Truss wants.

Since the cheapest bid for $39,706 would take about six weeks to arrive, Mid-MO Truss offered to pay the difference between the two bids, so they could get the more expensive one.

Alderman Ward 3 Jeff Bouse asked why Mid-Mo Truss didn’t just buy the new transformer, but Simpson said that it narrowed down to ownership matters.

“That’s why we try to keep it as the city owning the transformer,” Simpson said.

A motion to agree to Mid-MO Truss paying the city back, paying the difference between the two and drawing up a contract with them for the transformers was approved with a 6-0 vote.

In other business, Travis Pritchett, current airport manager, has agreed to extend his contract for another year at $2,175 per month. A motion to accept extending Pritchett’s contract for another year was approved with a 6-0 vote.

Mayor Pitts Lesesne said that the city has received some complaints concerning people setting off fireworks in the parks without a pyrotechnician.

City Clerk Lainie Garbo read the city ordinance regarding the discharge of fireworks within city limits.

“That shall be unlawful for any person to discharge a fire or set off any fireworks within the city of Cuba, Missouri, unless discharged by a licensed pyrotechnician at a public display authorized by the Board of Aldermen at the City of Cuba, except for on the third, fourth and fifth day of July, from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.” Garbo read.

She added that the three permitted days in July were for private property only, not on city property.

A motion to add that citizens are not allowed to set up fireworks on city property unless they have permission and a pyrotechnician license, per the city’s policy, was approved with a 6-0 vote.

Discussing and approving going out for contract labor for the animal control manager was on the agenda, but Alderman Ward 3 Joyce Hartzell had a different suggestion. She said that instead of contracting labor, the animal control and police committee discussed hiring one of the current employees to be supervisor.

A motion to not go out to bid for animal control manager and contract labor was approved with a 6-0 vote.

Originally discussed by the aldermen on May 19, a motion to accept Bill No. 2218, which is an ordinance to amend the city code relating to natural gas utility rates, was approved with a 6-0 vote and became Ordinance No. 1250.