Your PUD
Strategic Planning Meetings
After 10 months of deliberation, public input and analysis, PUD commissioners agreed in June 2007 on a new financial direction that included rate increases, internal efficiencies and cost-controls, and careful debt management. With the goal of putting the District on firmer financial ground for the next five years, commissioners directed staff to start the process for raising electric rates by 5 percent; water and sewer rates by 9 percent; and the wholesale fiber-optic rates charged to service providers by 2 percent.
Commisioners approved the rate increases in September 2007 following public meetings and a public hearing on the proposal. New rates took effect Jan. 1, 2008. Rates will be reconsidered each year.
The need for electric rate increases was forecast through 2010 (possibly 2011) and for water and sewer through 2012.
Commissioners also adopted guiding principles, governing policies and staff actions for financial plans.
Chelan County PUD is committed to including the public in discussions about the District's future.
A series of meetings was launched in August 2006 to take an in-depth look at the District's past, present and future, and to gather public input for the planning process. Here are presentations from the strategic planning process:
- Aug. 23, 2006 - A look at the gap between what it costs to provide services and what customers pay.
Strategic Planning Session 1 - Nov. 20, 2006 - Financial data looking back 10 years and forecasts looking forward for five years.
Strategic Planning Session 2 - March 19, 2007 - Options for the future direction of the District.
Strategic Planning Session 3
Gauges and dials: What they mean
Which choices are best for our public power utility - April 30, 2007 - Board Meeting
Networks Update and Strategy Review Presentation - May 9, 2007 - Board Meeting
Integrated Water Strategy Review - May 14, 2007 - Board Meeting
Wastewater Strategy Review
Additional Requested Scenarios - May 29, 2007 - Board Meeting
Management Recommendation and Board Policy Discussion - June 11, 2007 - Session to establish governing policies, guiding principles and action plans.
Strategic Planning Session 4
Public hearings on rate proposals have not yet been scheduled.
To learn more:
- Read Commissioner Ann Congdon's message.
- Read General Manager Rich Riazzi's message .
- E-mail us to receive a video DVD of the Nov. 20 meeting. Please include your mailing address.
Send a comment to commissioners.
Follow news releases below.
9/10/2007 - PUD rate increases approved, starting Jan. 1
Commission meeting news: Other topics: Meeting with Chelan County commissioners, board governance policies, budget and Chelan trails.
6/18/2007 - Staff recommends timeline for rate hearings
Commission meeting news: Other topics, hatcheries, raptor study, Okanagan Nation, rates, Monitor hearing.
6/11/2007 - Change in financial direction launched
Commission meeting news: fourth community strategic planning session.
6/4/2007 - Preparation continues for strategic decisions on June 11
Commission meeting news: Other topics, June 7 balanced scorecard meeting.
5/30/2007 - PUD commissioners invite comment before strategic decisions are made
Before the final decisions are made on June 11, board members want to make sure everyone interested has a chance to be heard.
5/29/2007 - PUD manager recommends rate increases as part of strategic plans
Commission meeting news: Other topics: rate class, budget revision, revenues.
5/21/2007 - Commissioners talk philosophy
Commission meeting news: Other topics: biodiesel test, insurance premiums, computer auction.
5/14/2007 - Wastewater system finances discussed
Commission meeting: Other topics; Revenues up; CALEA; Plain transmission line request.
5/9/2007 - Strategies for water system finances discussed
Special commission meeting: Strategic planning.
4/30/2007 - Public speaks in favor of PUD fiber build-out
Commission meeting news. Other topics: Bond refinance; Stehekin turbine.
3/19/2007 - PUD commissioners hear choices for District’s financial future
Commission meeting news: Third community strategic planning session.
3/12/2007 - Time to talk choices at March 19 strategic planning session
The third in a series of public meetings on the future direction of Chelan County PUD will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 19, at the Confluence Technology Center in Wenatchee.
11/20/2006 - PUD’s second strategic planning meeting looks at trends, past and future
General Manager Rich Riazzi provided a detailed look at PUD financial trends for about 120 people who attended Monday’s community strategic planning meeting, saying commissioners will have to consider new ways of paying for services in the future.
11/10/2006 - Public invited back for next PUD strategy session
The second in a series of public meetings on the future direction of Chelan County PUD will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, at the Confluence Technology Center.
8/23/2006 - Board begins look into PUD’s future
The first in a series of meetings to develop guiding principles for the future direction of Chelan County PUD attracted about 150 people to the Confluence Technology Center Wednesday night.
8/16/2006 - Series of evening meetings set to plan for PUD’s future
People from throughout Chelan County are invited at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 23 to the first in a series of public meetings to discuss issues important to the future of the Chelan County PUD.