As a resident of Owensboro, you are part of a public power community, which means you own your electric, water, and telecommunications utility. OMU operates with a customer-first mission focused on reliability, affordability, and long-term community success.
What is Public Power?
Public Power Utilities are:
- Community-owned
- Locally-controlled
- Non-for-profit
This means decisions are made with customers and community in mind – not shareholders.
The Advantages of Public Power
Local Decision-Making
Decisions about your water, electric and telecommunications services are made locally by the City Utility Commission, whose members are appointed by the Mayor and City Commission and represent the customers they serve.
Utility Commission meetings are open to the public, ensuring transparency and accountability to the community.
Locally Established Rates
As a not-for-profit utility, OMU charges customers only for the actual cost of providing services. Revenue is reinvested into maintaining infrastructure, improving reliability, and service the community. Rates are established locally by the City Utility Commission and the Owensboro City Commission.
Customer-Focused Service
Because OMU is customer-owned, customer feedback matters.
We regularly seek customer and community input through telephone surveys and outreach efforts to help guide policies, services, and improvements. This commitment to service helped OMU achieve a 96% customer satisfaction rating from our community in 2025.
Reliable Utility Service
Public power utilities are known for delivering reliable service, and OMU is proud to be recognized nationally for excellence in reliability and safety.
OMU received the Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) Diamond designation from the American Public Power Association, which is the highest honor awarded through the RP3 program.
Supporting our Local Economy
Public power keeps dollars in the community.
OMU provides approximately 160 local jobs and supports economic growth throughout the region.
OMU provides support for local services, community programs, and non-profit organizations. In addition, public power utilities invest revenue back into their communities through payments in lieu of taxes and infrastructure improvements.
Owensboro Municipal Utilities is a major employer in Owensboro, providing 160+ local jobs.
Invested in our Community
OMU employees live, work, and raise their families in the communities they serve. Local connection drives a strong culture of community involvement and service. OMU supports numerous local agencies and initiatives, including United Way of the Ohio Valley, local schools, youth programs, non-profits, and more. OMU employees generously volunteer their time, expertise, and resources to causes that strengthen our community.
Focused on Safety
Safety is OMU’s top priority – for employees and for the community.
Recent safety accomplishments include:
- Achieved five years without a recordable safety incident (Water Production) and six years of NO lost time accidents
- APPA (American Public Power Association) Diamond Safety Award: Consecutively in 2024 and 2025