History

The City of Stilwell Utility Department was formed in 1946 when the City of Stilwell adopted its charter.

It was set up by the city to be operated for the benefit of the City of Stilwell and the citizens by providing water service for fire protection and safeguarding of public health through proper sanitary facilities.

The operation of Stilwell Utilities was set up by the City Charter to be operated as a separate business from that of the City of Stilwell. To accomplish this, a Utility Board was created to employ personnel to manage the electric, water, and sewer utilities for the benefit of the citizens of Stilwell.

Stilwell Area Development Authority

In 1962, a trust was created, Stilwell Area Development Authority (SADA) to manage the water and sewer system. This was to allow long-term financing to improve the water filtration plant and distribution system. This worked well but also created the problem of managing of two businesses instead of one.

In January 2000, the City Council took action to help simplify our business by making the electric utility a part of SADA effective July 1, 2000. The City Council retains rate oversight and has approval authority for any necessary rate changes.

Original Members

The original members of the Board of Directors were:

Otto Alderson
C.J. Carson
Jack Chaffin
C.L. Fletcher
Luke Worley

The first meeting was held at City Hall at 3:30 p.m. on January 7, 1947. As City Clerk, John H. Carson, called the meeting to order. C.J. Carson was elected as Chairman and C.L. Fletcher was elected as Vice Chairman. At that time, Roy Martin and Dode Gowen were appointed as interim Superintendents until the hiring of John B. Sanders in February of 1947.

SADA Board

The Stilwell Area Development Authority was founded on July 18, 1962 as a Trust Indenture of the City of Stilwell. The City of Stilwell leased the utility operations to the Stilwell Area Development for 60 years. The SADA Board consisted of:

Otto Alderson
C.J. Carson
C.L. Fletcher
Dr. Burdge F. Green
Wren Worley