Your PUD PUD News Line

12/13/2005

General manager search update

Following interviews with representatives of three executive search firms, Chelan County PUD commissioners reached consensus on hiring Waters-Oldani Executive Recruitment of Dallas to help conduct the search for a new general manager.

Jerrold Oldani, a senior vice president of the firm, met with commissioners in public session. He lives in Bellevue and works out of the firm’s office there.

Commissioners also talked with Linda Paul of The Search Partnership, Bridgewater, N.J., and Dave Little of Little and Associates, Broomfield, Colo. A fourth firm, Passage and Associates of Seattle, was asked to interview, but withdrew from the process.

Hiring an executive search firm is one of several steps being taken by commissioners to fill the vacancy created when Charlie Hosken left the PUD last month for a job in California.

Board members appointed Wayne Wright interim general manager and have held eight public meetings across the county to gather public comment on the qualifications and characteristics desired in the next PUD general manager.

Public meeting set Jan 9. on proposed power sales contract

Commissioners will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m. on Jan. 9 at the Wenatchee Center to discuss the proposed Puget Sound Energy power sales contract.

PUD General Counsel Carol Wardell and the negotiating team will outline the new 20-year contract and answer questions from the public.

The agreement, which would allocate to PSE 25 percent of the power output from Rocky Reach and Rock Island dams in exchange for paying 25 percent of the costs, would maintain local control for Chelan County PUD and provide long-term financial stability.

The contract could allow the PUD to pay down debt, pay for some future capital improvements at the dams without borrowing, and PSE would provide an $89 million payment as soon as contract is approved.

PUD commissioners also set Jan. 30, 2006, as the date for taking action on the proposed new contract. That would require PUD staff to present the resolution seeking approval at the Jan. 16 commission meeting. It would then be held for two weeks before final action.

2006 PUD budget approved

PUD commissioners have approved a $284 million 2006 budget after months of presentations from PUD staff. The 2005 budget is $259 million.

Much of the $25.3 million increase will be spent next year on major capital construction projects such as modernizing units in Rock Island Dam’s first powerhouse, adding a new transmission line and continuing modernization of generators at Rocky Reach Dam. The District’s fiber-optic build-out will also continue, along with fish survival studies.

TJ Farrell, PUD budget supervisor, answered questions and reminded commissioners that the proposed budget includes no electric, water or wastewater rate increases and no new debt; although the PUD may refinance some existing bonds to get lower interest rates.

Stay in touch with your PUD

The PUD’s Web site is in the process of a much-needed overhaul, but in the meantime, we’ve made it easier to get important information about the PUD on one page. Go to our Web site, www.chelanpud.org, and click on the PUD logo at the top of the page to visit On the Record. This page also includes more information on the search for a new general manager and on the potential power-sales agreement with Puget Sound Energy.