Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to maintain membership with the Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS).
Ohio Revised Code 3781.26(A) requires “Each utility that owns or operates underground utility facilities shall participate in and register the location of its underground facilities with a protection service that serves the area where the facilities are located.” OUPS is recognized as a protection service and continued membership allows for compliance with the Ohio Revised Code. Annually, the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) receives approximately 145,000 excavation notices from OUPS, which allows DPU to proactively protect our valuable underground infrastructure from damage due to excavation and provide a safe working and living environment for our residents.
Principal Party:
Ohio Utilities Protection Service
PO Box 729
12467 Mahoning Avenue
North Jackson, OH 44451
Denise Burgy, 800-362-2764
Contract Compliance Number: 006597
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: February 12, 2026
Fiscal Impact: $66,651.87 is budgeted and available from within the Public Utilities Operating Funds to meet the financial obligations of this contract renewal. This ordinance is contingent on the passage of the 2026 operating budget, Ordinance 2939-2025.
$62,901.36 was spent in 2025
$66,823.76 was spent in 2024
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to maintain membership with the Ohio Utilities Protection Service; and to authorize the expenditure of $66,651.87 split between the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds. ($66,651.87)
Body
WHEREAS, Ohio Revised Code 3781.26(A) requires “Each utility that owns or operates underground utility facilities shall participate in and register the location of its underground facilities with a protection service that serves the area where the facilities are located”; and
WHEREA...
Click here for full text