Commission Meeting Report 2024-12-03

Douglas County PUD Commissioners Ronald E. Skagen, Aaron J. Viebrock and Molly Simpson executed the following actions during the December 3, 2024 Commission meeting held at the District’s East Wenatchee office:

Awarded Kevin Beck, Senior Software Developer with his twenty-year service award. Commissioner Skagen thanked Kevin on behalf of the citizens of Douglas County for his many years of service. Kevin thanked the Commission and discussed his various roles at the PUD.

Awarded Ben Carter, DCCN Coordinator with his twenty-five year service award. Commissioner Skagen thanked Ben on behalf of the citizens of Douglas County for his many years of service. Ben thanked the Commission and discussed how the fiber network as evolved and is now the fastest and least expensive option.

Closed the budget hearing for the Distribution System, Hydrogen System and Wells Hydroelectric Project for calendar year 2025.

Reviewed bid opening results for Bid Document 24-39-W, spare 230kV breaker for the Wells Hydroelectric Project. All bids will be evaluated prior to a recommendation for contract award.

Authorized accepting bids received for surplus District property sold at auction. (24-121)

Approved District purchase of pollution legal liability insurance with Markel. (24-122)

Authorized use of Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (VEBA) Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) for employees retiring in 2025. This allows the deposit of a percentage of the employee’s accrued personal leave at retirement into the HRA-VEBA. (24-123)

Adopted the 2025 Distribution System budget which includes a previously approved 3% increase in KWH charge for the highest two usage tiers of the General Service schedule (over 25,000 KWH). Data Centers will see a 5% increase January 1 and Cryptocurrency customers a 10% increase January 1 for their rate schedules. Working capital is expected to increase $41.1 million. The preliminary capital budget is $51.1 million, of which $43.8 million is for electrical facilities. The balance of capital spending is for the new connections to the Douglas County Community Network and new equipment. (24-124)

Approved the Hydrogen Production budget which includes initial startup and operations projections with a capital budget of $3.2 million which includes a refueling station at the production facility.

Adopted the 2025 Wells Project Revenue Budget with the Operating Expense Budget at $73.6 million. The preliminary Capital Budget totals $60.9 million. Major items include generating unit refurbishment, mobile crane, Motor Control Center replacement, Spillway Bulkhead maintenance, GUS Transformer replacement, and Governor Controls upgrade. (24-126)

Approved the Environmental Reviews for the 2025 Distribution System Capital Budget, 2025 Hydrogen System budget and the 2025 Wells Hydroelectric Project Operating, Capital and Extraordinary Expense Budget. (24-127)

Approved professional service agreement 25-01-W, 2025 HCP hatchery monitoring and evaluation (M&E) implementation program with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Wells Habitat Conservation Plan requires the development and annual implementation of an M&E plan for the District’s hatchery programs. The agreement is not to exceed $1,124,890 and will conclude December 31, 2025. (24-128)

Rescheduled the regular January Commission Meetings to January 13 and 28. Both meetings will be held at 1:30pm at the East Wenatchee Office.

The next regular meeting of the Commission is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. December 17, 2024 at the District’s East Wenatchee Office.