Cuba aldermen on Feb. 12 discussed the payment plan for its $1,109,074.27 Missouri Public Utility Alliance (MPUA)/Mid-Missouri Municipal Power Energy Pool (MMMPEP) electric bill.

“The total bill for January was $1,109,074.27. They have offered to withdraw on Feb. 18, $676,572.75,” said Cuba Accounting Bookkeeper Jennifer Basham.

Basham recommended paying the remaining balance, with an approximate five percent interest rate, over the span of nine months so as not to severely deplete the electric department of cash all at once.

“Do we have that in reserves...could we pay this bill and save the citizens $450,000?” asked Mayor Kevin Copling.

To pay the bill right now, Basham said that it would cut the city’s reserves almost in half. Additionally, upcoming projects may tap into the rest of the city’s reserves before they can be replenished.

Alderman Ward 3 Joyce Hartzel wanted to table the discussion until the next meeting on Feb. 17 so that the numbers could be double checked. She didn’t want to tie up money for nine months in case another problem occurs.

A motion was made to pay the electric bill in full with a 5-1 vote. Alderman Ward 3 Jeff Bouse was the only one to vote against it solely on the basis that it was against Basham’s recommendation.

There was a short discussion about the fiscal year 2026 (FY26) budget.

Bouse asked if there was room in the budget to get a mold test done for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) building.

What appeared to be mold was found in a back closet, and he hoped that the test could be done before the building is given to the tourism committee and is turned into a Route 66 tourism center.

“We need to see how much the mold test would cost,” said Basham.

Unfortunately, the discussion was tabled until the next meeting because the wording on the agenda didn’t allow for a motion to be made.

In other business, a motion was passed on Bill No. 2208 and became Ordinance 957 with a 6-0 vote. It is an ordinance that authorizes the mayor to enter into an agreement with Crawford County Youth Football for the use of facilities at Hood Park.