NEW ULM – The Public Utilities Commission approved a $55,000 phase one installation of a Verkada security camera system during their meeting Tuesday.

There is no camera system in place at any public utility facilities. Public Utilities Director Kris Manderfeld said they currently only have a badge system. She said trends show they need cameras now more than ever.

“There’s been a lot of information on threats to municipal assets,” Manderfeld said. “It’s been on the rise, and they’re strongly encouraging security of these assets. As you know, we had our own issues in the past. This [initiative] is arising from that.”

Specifically, Manderfeld cited incidents where damage was caused to substations, electrical grid components, and natural gas pipelines. She said these assets can be very vulnerable, making it important to keep them secure.

The PUC received three quotes. Zivaro submitted the best quote with their Verkada system due to them having the lowest price and highest degree of flexibility.

“We can add cameras to the buildings in phases,” she said. “We can do certain buildings in 2025 and then add cameras in 2026. It’s very easy to adapt and add new cameras. This camera stores everything on the cloud. We don’t have to have the infrastructure here; the large servers to hold massive amounts of data.”

The plan is for phase one cameras to be placed on the Administration building, Water Treatment building, Northside Substation, Material Distribution Center, 20th Lift Station, and Hutchinson Interconnect on KC Road. These cameras will feed to the power plant control room, where they can be monitored 24/7.

Manderfeld said they hope to have all of the phase one cameras up by the end of the year. This item is included in the budget, and slightly under the $60,000 they set aside for it. The PUC will now look to budget for the second phase in 2025.

“It’s something we have thought about for quite a while,” she said. “I’m thankful we’re finally getting it installed.”

Commissioner Sean Fingland motioned for the PUC to approve a $55,000 contract toward phase one security camera installation. Commissioner Mary Ellen Schanus seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.