April 2025 League of Nebraska Municipalities
Utility disconnect email notices and envelopes
By Lash Chaffin, Utilities Section Director
Many Nebraska municipal utilities have spent many hours perfecting the language of their disconnect notice over the past few years. But far less attention has probably been paid to the title of the email or the envelope used to mail the disconnect notice.
Email. Since 2015, cities and villages have been allowed to use email to send disconnect notices. Notice can be given by electronic delivery, but electronic delivery shall only be used “if the subscriber has specifically elected to receive such notices by electronic delivery.” If notice is given by electronic delivery, such notice shall be conspicuously marked as to its importance.
Mail. For cities, Nebraska law also provides that “If notice is given by first-class mail,… such mail shall be conspicuously marked as to its importance.”
Villages. While neither of these requirements apply to villages, Nebraska law requires that villages “establish a procedure to resolve utility bills.” Most villages have simply adopted the requirements imposed on cities as their procedure. This would include the requirement that the electronic delivery or envelope be conspicuously marked as to its importance. What does this mean? The term “conspicuously marked as to its importance” certainly leaves a municipal utility a lot
206 S 13th Street, Suite 800
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 476-2829
Fax (402) 476-7052
of room for interpretation. There are three important words in that phrase that a utility needs to look at: 1) conspicuously, 2) marked, and 3) importance. According to Webster’s Dictionary, the term “conspicuously” means “very readily perceived” or “attracting attention.” In this day of deceptive spam email and junk mail, it is very difficult to make your notice meet this standard. In order to draw attention to the notice, it is very important that the email or envelope be clearly identifiable as coming from the municipal utility. Also, many utilities print their disconnect envelopes in red ink and use larger typeface. According to Webster’s, the term “marked” means “bearing a mark.” This is an odd requirement that seems to require some physical mark on the envelope. This might preclude some excellent methods of making the mail readily identifiable. Some municipal utilities that do not actually “mark” the envelope might want to reconsider their current practice. According to Webster’s, the term “importance” means “having a great effect.” Again, this is a term that leaves lots of room for interpretation. There are probably hundreds of terms that could indicate a “great effect.” Most municipal utilities have chosen to actually use the word “important”
on their envelope to take away any argument that their chosen term does not indicate “importance.” What do municipalities actually do to comply with the law? A couple of months ago, the Utilities Section ran a survey. The only pattern that emerged was that nobody does the same thing. Some of the phrases included:
• Important Notice Enclosed (Attached)
• Important: City of ***** Utilities
• Please Open at Once
• Important Notice
• Important Notice Concerning Utility Service
• Important
• Please Open Immediately
• Final Notice
• Extremely Important: Do Not Discard
Some municipalities have printed disconnect envelopes and others appeared to use a stamp. Many municipalities used red ink. A few municipalities had the language appear through a clear window in the envelope. This practice might raise a few eyebrows for purists that think that the envelope needs to be marked. However, the requirement is that the “mail” actually be marked, so as long as
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Lash Chaffin
Utility disconnect email notices and envelopes
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they are meeting the “conspicuous” and “important” requirements. Many municipalities avoid the use of the word disconnect. When asked, they indicated that the law does not require this term to be
used and that by using the term disconnect, they might infringe on somebody’s privacy rights. Use of the term disconnect might also anger customers who might ordinarily just pay the bill when they get the notice.
Nebraska Safety Council Training
Information on training available through the Nebraska Safety Council can be found at www.nesafetycouncil.org/index.php/safety/trainingcourses
Service Awards
Remember to recognize your employees’ anniversary milestones. The League provides certificates for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 and 65.
You can request them by emailing the League office at brendah@lonm.org.
Retirements: Let us help recognize those municipal employees who are retiring after years of service.
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month: A time to refocus on the road SAFETY/HEALTH CORNER
By Jackson Sash, Utilities Field Rep./Training Coordinator
Across the country, April is recognized as Distracted Driving Awareness Month—a campaign to highlight one of the most preventable threats on our roads. Distracted driving is more than just a bad habit; it’s a dangerous behavior that claims thousands of lives every year and leaves many more injured. Whether you're commuting to work, traveling between job sites, or running errands around town, the risks of taking your attention off the road are real—and they can affect
you, your coworkers, your family, and your entire community.
Distracted driving refers to any activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from the primary task of operating a vehicle. It includes a wide range of behaviors, from texting and talking on the phone to eating, adjusting the radio, or even daydreaming. While these distractions may seem harmless in the moment, they can lead to catastrophic consequences in a matter of seconds. The most alarming form of distraction is texting, because it combines all three types of distraction: visual (taking
your eyes off the road), manual (taking your hands off the wheel), and cognitive (taking your mind off
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Service Awards
Remember to recognize your employees’ anniversary milestones. The League provides certificates for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, and 65.
You can request them by emailing brendah@ lonm.org.
Retirements: Let us help recognize those municipal employees who are retiring after years of service.
HDR, we’re helping our clients push open the doors to what’s possible, every day.
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month
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what you're doing). According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), reading or sending a text takes your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds. If you're traveling at 55 miles per hour, that's the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.
The statistics are sobering. In 2024 alone, over 3,000 people lost their lives in crashes involving a distracted driver. That number does not include the tens of thousands who suffered serious, life-altering injuries. These are more than numbers—they represent family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors whose lives were forever changed by a moment of inattention. What makes these tragedies even harder to accept is the fact that they are completely preventable.
For those working in public service or utilities, the importance of attentive driving cannot be overstated. Municipal vehicles, whether they’re utility trucks, water department vans, or waste collection vehicles, often travel through residential neighborhoods, school zones, and work sites. The
size and weight of these vehicles adds another layer of risk. A distracted driver behind the wheel of a heavy-duty truck has a far greater chance of causing serious harm than someone in a small passenger car. It’s essential that municipal employees set the tone for safe driving in the community by being vigilant and fully engaged whenever they're behind the wheel. It’s also important to acknowledge that the pressure to stay connected— whether through texts, phone calls, or checking email—has grown over the years. Many workers feel obligated to respond quickly, even while driving. But the truth is, no message or call is worth the risk of a crash. Employers can help reinforce this message by establishing and upholding clear policies that prohibit mobile phone use while driving, and by promoting a workplace culture that values safety above convenience.
Staying focused behind the wheel starts before the vehicle even moves. That means giving yourself enough time to get where you're going without needing to rush. It means setting up your GPS and adjusting mirrors and controls before you
start driving. It means putting the phone out of reach or turning on “Do Not Disturb” mode. And just as important, it means recognizing when you're tired, distracted by stress, or simply not in the right mindset to drive safely—and taking a moment to reset before starting the engine.
As we move through April, let this month serve as a reminder to take driving seriously every time we get behind the wheel. Whether you're driving a city vehicle or your own car, whether it's a short trip across town or a long haul between job sites, your attention matters. Your decisions behind the wheel can make the difference between arriving safely or never arriving at all.
Engineering a world where everyone thrives.
Utilities Section Newsletter
Classifieds
Line Technician. The City of Auburn of Board of Public Works is accepting applications for an Electric Line Technician. Qualifications include successful completion of an accredited Journeyman Lineman program or consideration for a documented Journeyman Lineman through verifiable experience. Lineman apprentice applications will be accepted. Experience in construction, installation, maintenance and repair of electric transmission and distribution lines. Knowledgeable of and ability to train in electrical distribution and transmission line construction, electrical apparatus such as singlephase transformers, three phase transformer banks, voltage testing, rotation and regulators and line switching clearance procedures and grounding. Compliance with all safety policies and procedures. Valid CDL or ability to obtain an acceptable driving record. Candidates will be subject to a criminal background check. Successfully pass DOT physicals/ drug tests as required. Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather conditions. Must reside within 30 miles of Service Center
at 1604 O Street, Auburn, NE. The starting pay rate for this position is $32.24 - $37.78 per hour depending on experience. Job description is available upon request. Applications are available at auburnbpw.com. Return to: Board of Public Works at 1600 O Street, Auburn, NE 68305. For questions about the position contact Kevin Kuhlmann or Ray Luhring at (402)-274-4981. Position will remain open until filled.
Utility Superintendent. Due to upcoming retirement, the City of Long Pine is seeking a qualified candidate for the full-time position of Utility Superintendent. The ideal candidate must have the following qualifications: ability to learn computer and equipment skills essential to this position; high school diploma or GED; strong communication skills and the ability to work well with the public, other city employees, and other professionals; willingness to engage in training to keep up to date with municipal codes and state statutes; and be responsible for safety, compliance, record keeping and testing. Must have a valid driver’s license; must have or be able to get
a Class B CDL; and candidates with a Grade IV Water operator license, Grade 1 Wastewater Operator’s license is a plus, but we are willing to send the right candidate to training for certification within one year of employment. Duties consist of managing and maintaining water and sewer systems, conducting utility readings, performing locates, road and street maintenance, garbage, maintaining city owned buildings and properties including parks and cemetery. Maintaining all vehicles, equipment and tools while also keeping accurate records for reporting purposes. For a complete job description and application contact, the City of Long Pine during regular business hours at 402-273-4120 or email lpclerk@ longpinenebraska.com. Application must include resume and references. The City of Long Pine is an EOE.
Utilities Section Newsletter
Notice: Inspect hitch assembly in ETI service buckets
By Jackson Sash, Utilities Field Rep./Training Coordinator
The League received the following message from a Rural Electric Association and would like to pass it along to all our members:
“I just wanted to make you aware of an issue we had last week with one of our ETI service bucket trucks. We had just finished a job and were on our way back to the shop. The ETI service bucket truck was pulling a trailer with a skid steer and some wire on it when the hitch broke away from the frame and completely separated from the truck. After
reviewing the unit and comparing it with another one of our ETI service buckets, we found that the hitch assembly is not built like those on our other brand units. It has just a couple of small welds – which we’re going to have inspected – as they don’t appear to be in good shape. It’s also lacking any bracing or gussets that would support hauling much weight. We’ve instructed our crews not to haul anything behind these units until they’ve been properly inspected. I just wanted to pass this along in case you know of anyone else running ETI service bucket trucks.”
Please pass this information on to anyone you know who uses this brand of bucket truck and reiterate within your system the importance of a good pretrip inspection to help prevent something like this from happening again. Thank you!
Utilities Section Newsletter
2025 Training calendar
Visit our website for a complete list of workshops and conferences.
April
April 30 ......... Backflow Workshop .............................................. Civic Center, Seward
June
June 3-5 ......... Rubber Gloving, Underground, and Apparatus Training ....... Northeast Community College, Norfolk
August
Aug. 12 .......... Backflow Workshop .............................................. Valentino's, Beatrice
Aug. 13 Backflow Workshop Fire Hall, Wayne
Aug. 14 Water Operator Training Workshop South Sioux City
Aug. 19 .......... Backflow Workshop ..............................................
Mid-Plains Community College, Ogallala
Aug. 20 Backflow Workshop Full Circle Venue (downtown), Grand Island
September
Sept. 9 Water Operator Training Workshop Sidney
Sept. 10 Water Operator Training Workshop Imperial
Sept. 11.......... Water Operator Training Workshop ...................... Pleasanton
Sept. 24-26 League Annual Conference Cornhusker Marriott Hotel, Lincoln
October
Oct. 21 Water Operator Training Workshop Gering
Oct. 22 Water Operator Training Workshop North Platte
Oct. 23 .......... Water Operator Training Workshop ...................... Grand Island
December
Dec. 9 ............ Water Operator Training Workshop ...................... Lincoln
Dec. 10 Water Operator Training Workshop Columbus
Utilities Section Executive Board
2nd
1st Vice President Gary Thurlow Utility Superintendent Atkinson
Board Member
Water & Sewer Supervisor Imperial
Board Member
Jeramie Van Leer
Board Member
Ryan Schmitz
Utilities Director Grand Island
Ex Officio Member
Layne Groseth
City Admin./Utilities Mgr. North Platte