Phone: (509) 826-0100
1-800-725-KOMW
Email: info@komw.net
Okanogan County PUD commissioners approved a 2 percent overall revenue increase at their March 9 meeting, but delayed the implementation date to May 1, 2020.
Discussion amongst commissioners and staff included questions of economic certainty with coronavirus and oil prices affecting the market, as well as current struggles for the agricultural sector.
Commissioner Scott Vejraska said he did not believe now was the time to add to customer’s costs and raise rates.
Commissioner Bill Colyar said the longer the district delays infrastructure projects, the more degraded the system gets, leading to increased outages and maintenance costs.
Commissioner Jerry Asmussen recommended the May 1 implementation date instead of the April 1 date, due to economic uncertainty.
The one-month delay will cost the district about $75,000 out of its 2020 budget.
Vejraska voted against Resolution 1705 authorizing the rate increase, making the vote 2-1 in favor.
Effective May 1, the rates will increase differently per class to move toward the cost of service to each individual class, averaging out to 2 percent overall:
Residential: 2.9 percent increase (average of $2.50 per month)
Small general service: 1.8 percent increase, (average of $3.30 per month)
Large general service: 0.5 percent increase, (average of $16.42 per month)
Irrigation: 1.5 percent increase (average of $7.18 per month)
Industrial: 0.5 percent increase
Frost control: 10 percent increase
Area lighting: 2 percent increase
Street lighting: 2 percent increase
More information on the rates, the cost of service study and other financial documents are available on the district’s website, www.okanoganpud.org.
In other business, the board: