Gridley currently provides electrical maintenance for Biggs under a three-year agreement that expired Sept. 30. Designed by Magnific

 

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Gridley and Biggs have appointed city council representatives to negotiate a new electric maintenance agreement, with plans to explore additional opportunities for sharing municipal services, resources and costs.

The Biggs City Council appointed Mayor James “Bo” Sheppard and Councilmember Anita Wilks to its negotiating committee Sept. 22, with Vice Mayor Jerome Squires serving as alternate.

The Gridley City Council followed Oct. 5, appointing Mayor Mike Farr and Councilmember James Roberts to its newly established Inter-Agency Services and Collaboration ad hoc committee.

“Whatever this committee finds will come back for the full council approval,” Biggs City Administrator Nicolas Gauthier said.

Gridley currently provides electrical maintenance for Biggs under a three-year agreement that expired Sept. 30. Provisions in the existing contract allow services to continue while negotiations proceed. The agreement included annual increases of 3%, raising the monthly payment from $40,566 to $43,036 in its final year. Local officials said actual inflation averaged approximately 4% during that period, while Gridley's negotiated labor costs increased about 15%.

The two cities hope to reach terms that reflect those rising expenses while maintaining affordable electric service for Biggs residents, officials said. A five-year agreement is among the options being considered, although Gauthier said both cities remain open to a shorter term.

Gridley's committee will have a broader assignment than the electric contract renewal. City Administrator Elisa Arteaga proposed reviewing existing agreements with neighboring cities, Butte County and other public agencies to determine whether service levels, responsibilities and expenses are appropriately distributed.

The review could also identify opportunities to share equipment, personnel and professional services, collaborate on community events, pursue grants or undertake joint projects. Existing partnerships involving building and permitting services, police services and maintenance could also be examined, she said.

Both committees will work with administrative and technical personnel from their respective cities, and their responsibilities are limited to reviewing arrangements, discussing potential changes and developing recommendations.

Neither committee has authority to approve contracts, commit public funds or establish policy independently, officials said.

Any proposed agreements or financial commitments will return to the full city councils for consideration and approval at public meetings.