Commission Meeting Report 2025-08-19

Douglas County PUD Commissioners Molly Simpson, Aaron J. Viebrock and Ronald E. Skagen executed the following actions during the August 19, 2025 Commission meeting held at the District’s Bridgeport office:

Awarded Jeff Berdan, Property Specialist with his twenty-five year service award. Commissioner Simpson thanked Jeff on behalf of the citizens of Douglas County for his many years of service. Jeff thanked the Commission and discussed his various roles at the PUD. “Doesn’t seem like it’s been 25 years.”

Awarded contract 25-13-D to Asbestos Central LLC for asbestos abatement of the Azwell site buildings. (25-052)

Approved amendment to existing easement with Timberwood Homes, LLC. Necessary to install a retaining wall. (25-053)

Authorized purchase of a PIT-Tag-Detection system on the railroad bridge in Pateros from Biomark, LLC a sole source provider. The railroad bridge PIT-tag-detection system is a special facility comprising sole-source equipment configured and installed to function in a novel setting where continuous remote monitoring of system performance will facilitate uninterrupted data-collection and transmission. (25-054)

Approved amendment No. 1 to Professional Service Agreement with Electrical Consultants, Inc. under contract 23-49-D. Additional funds needed to complete existing design work at the Clovis, Lone Pine, Rapids, Douglas, O’Malley and Nilles Substations. This amendment will add $1,375,000 to the contract with no change in the December 31, 2026 expiration date.  (25-055)

Received the preliminary budgets for the Distribution System, Hydrogen Production and Wells Hydroelectric Project for calendar year 2026.

The preliminary Distribution System budget includes a previously approved rate adjustment. The average residential customer would see an increase of around $3 per month, small commercial would increase an average of $6.40 per month. Working capital is expected to increase $194 million. The preliminary capital budget is $62.2 million, of which $50.5 million is for electrical facilities. The balance of capital spending is for the new connections to the Douglas County Community Network and new equipment.

The preliminary Hydrogen Production budget includes initial startup and operations projections with a capital budget of $10.2 million which includes a refueling, fuel cell generation and storage and waste water systems.

Wells Project Revenue Budget estimate is equal to the Operating Expense Budget at $75 million. The preliminary Capital Budget totals $62.2 million. Major items include generating unit refurbishment, HVAC system upgrades, Spillway Bulkhead maintenance, GUS Transformer replacement and crane fall protection.

A budget hearing will be opened on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 and held open until Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. in the East Wenatchee office.

Heard a report on the Douglas County Community Network. The network currently has 8,959 end users.

The next regular meeting of the Commission is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. September 2, 2025 at the District’s East Wenatchee Office.