From staff reports

A cooperative venture between two area utilities is encouraging.

Monday, April 5, 1999

A cooperative venture between two area utilities is encouraging.

Freeborn-Mower Cooperative and Austin Utilities plan to work together, rather than clash in issues involving adjoining territories.

Freeborn-Mower’s territory runs right up against new development on the edge of Austin, including areas in which further development is expected.

That could result in costly litigation, and increased costs for customers.

Instead, the two utilities hope to work together to smooth out their differences.

Clearly, that is good news for consumers.

Further, the utilities aim to cooperate to promote growth, including a possible shared industrial park for new development.

That, too, could prove beneficial to both communities.

Freeborn-Mower Cooperative and Austin Utilities deserve the appreciation of both communities for their efforts to keep conflicts out of the courts, and to work together on these important issues.