Ui Hires Consultants For Utilities Transition

IOWA CITY — In looking to monetize its utilities operation and create a new revenue stream, the University of Iowa has agreed to pay three consultants to, among other things, evaluate its assets, identify potential partners and map out a transaction plan.The UI is looking into whether a company wanting to take over the operation supplying power to the university would pay an upfront fee that the UI could use to create an endowment supporting academics.One month ago, the UI signed a contract with Jacobs Engineering Group to pay it a lump sum of $185,000 to “develop an inventory report along with high-level assessment and future requirements of its central steam, chilled water, electrical, and water treatment systems.”That sum doesn’t include travel expenses for consultants or potential upcharges for services outside the initial scope.