Commission Meeting Report 2026-02-17

Douglas County PUD Commissioners Molly Simpson, Aaron J. Viebrock and Ronald E. Skagen executed the following actions during the February 17, 2026 Commission meeting held at the District’s Bridgeport office:

Awarded Tracy Squires, Senior Bookkeeper with her twenty-five year service award. Commissioner Simpson thanked Tracy on behalf of the citizens of Douglas County for her many years of service. Tracy thanked the Commission and said “I love it here. It keeps me busy.”

Reviewed the bid opening results for Bid Document 26-17-W, aluminum outboard research vessel. All bids are evaluated prior to a recommendation for contract award.

Authorized purchase agreement with Eaton under contract 25-27-D, Advanced Metering Infrastructure. The $5.3M agreement includes software, RF network infrastructure, tools and equipment, electric meters, project management services, engineering services, and training. After a pilot phase, District staff will begin installing the meters over the next few years. (26-014)

Awarded contract 25-39-D, tapered steel structures for Lone Pine to O’Malley to Wester Utility Telcom the only responsive bidder. (26-015)

Approved transfer of surplus District property to Brewster School District. District property adjacent to the Brewster High School property is needed to widen the fire lane to allow adequate room for modern emergency vehicles. The 0.17 acres will be conveyed as allowed by RCW 54.16.180 (2) (a). (26-016)

Authorized purchase of real property from the heirs of Delma Kummer. The one acre of property is necessary for expansion of the O’Malley substation to accommodate the new Lone Pine to O’Malley 115kV transmission line. (26-017)

Declared an emergency exists and authorized construction of the District’s hydrogen production facility. The contractor has been unable to meet their contractual obligations to complete the facility by the November 2024 deadline which has impacted the District’s ability to supply clean hydrogen to the region. To protect the District’s interests and ensure the final project meets our standards the contractor has been placed in default which enables the District to pursue alternative means to complete the project. The District remains committed to hydrogen and is planning a new path forward. (26-018)

Heard a report on the Douglas County Community Network. The network currently has 9,065 end users.

The next regular meeting of the Commission is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. March 3, 2026 at the District’s East Wenatchee Office.