By Sara StrongWith 21 electrical projects to complete by the end of this year, the city probably won’t save money by switching in-house electrical management to Missouri River Energy Services."There are some financial advantages," City Administrator Greg LaFond said Tuesday, "But that doesn’t mean we will save money the first year."Some of those 21 projects can’t be postponed, due to the Sioux Valley hospital and clinic project. Others were going to require special contractors outside the city’s employees, and MRES can handle those contractors now. The city will pay more for more work done in town, on top of a management fee. The Luverne City Council still hasn’t finalized a contract for MRES to take over the management of three electric utility employees. If it goes through, they would no longer be employed by the city, although the city would direct their work priorities through MRES.Councilman David Hauge said, "I think it’d be a good idea to get going on this." LaFond will finish a cost comparison and bring it to the council for a vote at a future meeting.Bill Radio of MRES said the savings would come if there are times when all three workers aren’t needed in Luverne at once and could be used in other MRES projects.This year’s aggressive work schedule probably won’t allow for the employees to work out of town.LaFond said the savings will show in not hiring a new engineer to mange the utility and public works departments. That position (a combined Darrell Huiskes and Red Arndt) would cost a minimum of $100,000 considering salary and benefits.So far, concerns in the department have been about a worker three years from retirement, who doesn’t want a job change to affect his standing.Pet licenses The city pays about $6,000 annually in impound costs for dogs and cats. It may be a small budget item, but it’s one the Luverne City Council is considering revamping in order to save money.The city is generating only minor amounts of revenue through licensing dogs — $8 for spayed or neutered, or $12 otherwise.LaFond said, "Maybe you’re convinced that there are only 54 dogs in the city. I’m not."Councilman Bob Kaczrowski suggested some dog owners don’t know they are supposed to license their pets.LaFond said that the city could ask veterinarians to help inform the public, as they get pet shots or medical care, that dogs are supposed to be licensed."Is it really fair to the taxpayer who doesn’t have an animal, to have to pay for this service? It’s an inequity," LaFond said. "A taxpayer subsidy to some extent is understandable, but maybe not to this extent."The council didn’t discuss whether it will suggest that cats also be licensed.Last year, 17 cats and 17 dogs were impounded. About half of the animals in the pound are euthanized. Some of that could be avoided if the impound could notify the proper owner. However, some people abandon animals in town with the intention of the pound being forced to have them euthanized.All found animals that are turned into the pound are posted, and City Hall is the contact place for that. The pound holds animals for five business days before putting them down.