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UDWI CEO: ‘We’re Not Going To Break The Rules Anymore’

By Sara Wittmeyer

Posted March 27, 2018

The CEO of the Utilities District of Western Indiana says he's excited to be sharing some good news. The rural electric co-op has been plagued with problems the former leader was fired amid claims of money mismanagement and the FBI is investigating the co-op.

The board hired CEO Doug Childs. In what he termed "the state of UDWI report" Childs gave an update Monday night on what he's accomplished in his first four months.

"Be patient with us," Childs says. "We're not going to break the rules anymore. We're going to do things the right way, and in a business prudent way."

Most notably, Childs has cut a million dollars from the co-op's budget.

Childs has reduced health care costs by more than $300,000 and personnel costs by about $200,000. He's also targeted smaller price tag items such as trash fees. Childs says he got rid of the co-op dumpsters after he discovered that it was sort of an informal policy that employees could use them to dispose of personal trash from their homes.

Ratepayers might notice a slight reduction in their bills, but Childs says the savings will likely be used to help fund capital projects. He notes that the $1 million budget savings is enough to rebuild 10 miles of utility line.

And Childs says he's working to improve the culture and accountability.

"We're going to go out and talk to people," he says. "I like to say we're playing offense again. We're going to get back, reengage people and get to where members are proud of being a UDWI customer again."

UDWI's new, sharpened focus is "To provide reliable electric service at the lowest possible price."

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