City of Russell
RUSSELL — Randy Baker has been appointed the City's Water Utility Director effective Oct. 15. Baker has worked for the City of Russell since January 1999 in the Water Distribution Department as a maintenance worker, lead worker for water distribution and the wastewater system, and, most recently, as Water Distribution and Waste Water Superintendent.
Baker and his team produce over 300 million gallons of potable water each year for more than 2,400 customers by managing two water sources, maintaining thirty miles of raw water transmission line, and water at two water plants. The finished water goes to the city's two above-ground water towers, and from the towers, the water gets to customers through 63 miles of water distribution lines. In addition, Baker's department oversees the city's wastewater collection and treatment system.
Russell's wastewater system is one of the largest lagoon systems in Kansas, treating more than 373 million gallons of wastewater annually. The city uses a significant portion of the treated wastewater to irrigate city parks and the municipal golf course.
The Waste Water Lagoon system and Plant A are undergoing major rehabilitation projects that will update equipment and keep the facilities useful for another twenty years.
"Under Randy's leadership and his comprehensive knowledge of the water and wastewater systems, the utility will continue providing high-quality community services with the highest degree of excellence and professionalism," said City Manager Jon Quinday.
Dave Sturgeon has been appointed the city's Electric Utility Director effective Dec. 1, when Duane Banks retires after 32 years of service to the community.
Sturgeon has worked for the City of Russell since 2012 in the Electric Department as a power plant operator, lead mechanic, and, most recently, as Electric Production Superintendent.
"Dave's knowledge of public power, the challenges facing the electric industry, and his familiarity with the community and the city's electric utility made him stand out from the Kansas, Texas, and California applicants pool," Quinday said.
Sturgeon and his team of electric linemen, power plant operators, and mechanics provide service to more than 3,400 customers in a 50-square-mile service area with 146 miles of 3-phase primary and 5,875 power poles and manage two power plants capable of generating 26 megawatts of electricity.
The city was able to generate its own electricity during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, while other communities faced rolling blackouts.
"Dave will lead a dedicated team of skilled electric linemen, power plant operators, and mechanics that will continue the utility’s work to improve system reliability and customer communication," Quinday said.
The city council authorized the electric utility to rebuild the electric distribution system to improve resilience and reliability. The project will begin with the East Residential circuits when materials arrive. Due to supply issues, some critical items are 52 weeks out. Engineering, design, materials acquisition, and construction to complete the distribution system's rebuild is an eight to 10-year project.