Douglas County Public Utility District August 22 Mtg

BRIDGEPORT - Douglas County PUD Commissioners Aaron J. Viebrock, Molly Simpson and Ronald E. Skagen executed the following actions during the August 22 Commission meeting held at the District’s Bridgeport office:

• Approved an agreement with the North Central Educational Service District (NCESD) in the amount of $35,235.50 for the 2022-2023 school year. In effect since 1987, agreements between Douglas PUD and NCESD have been established to provide educational curriculum for every kindergarten through fifth grade student in Douglas County. Classes pertain to electrical generation, electric distribution, conservation, safety and wise use of water resources. This funding also provides for fourth grader participation in the River of Power program.

• Rejected bids under bid document 21-53-W, generator fire protection system upgrades and miscellaneous piping at the Wells Hydroelectric Project. The bids exceeded the engineer’s estimate by more than the amount allowable under state law.

• Affirmed change order No. 1 to contract 22-16-D, steel poles for the Rapids to Vahalla Transmission Line. Additional structural engineering stamps were required at a cost of $5,100.

• Awarded contract 22-44-W, rehabilitate U5 trashracks at the Wells Hydroelectric Project to Toshiba America Energy Systems, the lowest responsive bid.

• Authorized joint funding agreement with US Geological Survey for water temperature data collection 2022-2025. Necessary for the 401 Water Quality Certification and FERC license. This agreement will not exceed $75,472 and will expire September 30, 2025.

• Approved land use permit 58A-03, Kory and Stephanie Schertenleib. The permit is for use of Project lands for a walkway, dock, landscaping, garden and fire pit.

• Authorized the surplus and salvage of Distribution Transformers and Reclosers. This equipment is no longer in use and has exceeded its useful life.

• Affirmed change order No. 7 to contract 21-22-D, Hydrogen and Lincoln Rock Switchyard utility installations. Necessary for additional weed mat and crushed rock. This will increase the not-to-exceed cost $41,200.

• Authorized change order No. 2 to contract 21-51-D, fiber optic cable installation. Necessary to keep connecting customers to the Douglas County Community Network, this will increase the contract $3,200,000.

• Approved a call for bids under bid document 22-55-W, Methow Hatchery residence. Necessary to house staff working at the hatchery.

• Approved amendment No. 3 to professional service agreement with D. Rohr and Associates, Inc. Assistance with regional governmental, regulatory, power and natural resources issues will not-exceed $165,000 and will conclude December 31, 2024.

• Authorized the purchase of real property from MS. Harrison Family Trust. The property adjacent to the East Wenatchee office is 3.92 acres with a fair market value of $800,000.

• Approved an interconnection and service agreement with H2 Pre-Cast as required by the Customer Service Policies, Section 36.

• Authorized a change in Administrative Bulletin 5.13, Travel Policy and Request for Travel Authorization.  Necessary to update the policy to best match the current economy.

• Approved application for membership in Energy Northwest. The membership would be beneficial and would offer opportunities for cooperative participation in projects that produce and distribute energy.

• Received the preliminary budgets for the Distribution System and Wells Hydroelectric Project for calendar year 2023.

The preliminary Distribution System budget 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 July 1 and Cryptocurrency customers a 10% increase January 1 and July 1 for their rate schedules. Working capital is expected to increase $12.1 million. The preliminary capital budget is $47.7 million, of which $16.5 million is for electrical facilities. The balance of capital spending is for the Hydrogen Project, improvements and new connections to the Douglas County Community Network and new equipment.

Wells Project Revenue Budget estimate is equal to the Operating Expense Budget at $63 million. The preliminary Capital Budget totals $47.6 million. Major items include generating unit refurbishment, mobile crane, Motor Control Center replacement, fire protection upgrade, GUS Transformer replacement and Governor Controls upgrade.

Received the Environmental Reviews of the preliminary budgets.

A budget hearing will be opened on Monday, October 10, and held open until Monday, December 12, at 1:30 p.m. in the East Wenatchee office.

The next regular meeting of the Commission is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. September 12, at the District’s East Wenatchee Office.