Affordability

The cost of utility services has risen 25% over the past five years due to the impacts of COVID, increased regulatory requirements, and the amount of funding put into the market by federal programs. With the impacts of tariffs, continued government chaos and challenges in state and federal budgets, the impacts to the ratepayers will only continue to increase.

In the affordability report to the legislature that Chris facilitated, the impact to the ratepayers of small and medium sized systems was well documented and highlighted the need to address the issue through both low income assistance programs and the reduction of the cost of service through state and federal subsidies. 

The PUD should continue to adopt long term system planning, asset management, and fiscal planning to ensure the continued provision of quality service at rates that address affordability concerns. This should include a long term plan to acquire additional systems and to divest in those systems that are far afield and increase overall costs.

Accessibility

We need to expand accessibility to PUD information regarding rates, operations, and governance activities. In addition to enhancing the activities of the Utility Rate Advisory Committee, Chris will take steps towards expanding education and outreach activities and establishing other water and environmental advisory groups to ensure significant ratepayer and stakeholder participation and input into PUD activities.

As Commissioner, Chris will work with staff to increase transparency in PUD planning, rate documents, staff accessibility, etc., to ensure that any public needs or requests are easily located and promptly responded to. He will work with fiscal staff to ensure that documents are easily accessible and understandable for the public, including information on how rates are set, what contributes to rate changes, how the utility operates, how staff are hired and retained, and other aspects of operating an effective utility. The PUD should be as open and transparent as possible regarding the needs and costs of the District, any factors contributing to adjustments in rates or services, and any changes in governance or potential expansions.

Accountability

With the changes that occurred during COVID and as we have seen the impacts of the Infrastructure Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, tariffs, the new state and federal administrations, and climate change, we owe it to ourselves to investigate updated data and consider re-examining current attitudes in utility service delivery. The PUD should be accountable to the ratepayers and citizens of the County to listen to emerging ideas and concerns, to collect the data necessary to examine shifts in utility operations, and to adapt those operational and governance changes necessary to meet the requirements of the citizens of the County in these turbulent times.

The PUD should be held accountable to the community and the public as an exceptional environmental steward. This involves the expansion of conservation programs, activity in ensuring water source protection and holistic watershed management, being active in civic activities and events emphasizing environmental values, and adaptation to the impacts of climate change.