Your PUD Message from the Commissioners

We'd like to hear from you

By Ann Congdon, PUD Commissioner

5/30/2007

Weighing heavily on the minds of commissioners the last few months have been major issues including what Chelan County PUD may be asked to do in the future and how it will meet its responsibilities now. With the fourth strategic planning process meeting set for June 11, we are nearing the end of a 10-month process that will set the utility’s direction for the next five years.

One important theme that has emerged from these in-depth strategic sessions is, “How do we balance being fiscally prudent with sharing the benefits of public power and the services it provides with all the residents of the county?” 

After 10 months of financial analysis, policy discussions and public meetings, we are prepared to set the utility’s course through 2012. General Manager Rich Riazzi and other staff have recommended the PUD move away from reliance on volatile wholesale power sales revenue and onto more secure financial footing for the future. We, as commissioners, asked for cost-cutting across the board before considering rate increases for electric, water and sewer service.

The pace of build-out for the wholesale fiber-optic network is also being considered. Citizen input to the fiber issue has been lively and widespread,  with 95-percent-plus being in favor of continued build-out.

With decisions potentially being made June 11at the fourth strategic planning session, we encourage anyone who is interested to comment on the various proposals. Details such as specific bill changes for the “average” customer with electric, water and wastewater increases can be found on our Web site under “strategic planning” or by clicking here. Commissioners names, email addresses and phone numbers can also be found on this Web site.

We look forward to hearing from you!