PUD bills can be paid at main building

Opening of remodeled lobby, new pay station celebrated

Grant County PUD can now once again pay their bills at the main building that sells them their power.

PUD commissioners, staff and members of the public celebrated Monday afternoon the opening of the main building's new front lobby, with the added feature of a bill-paying counter.

"Not being able to pay your bill here was mind-boggling to me, at best," Commission President Tom Flint said. "It's your headquarters. You should be able to do your business here."

In the past, ratepayers in Ephrata traveled to the Ephrata City Hall to drop off their bills. Earlier this year, the commission approved the $36,000 contract to remodel the office with the included pay station.

About 2,000 customers paid their bills at Ephrata City Hall, Flint said.

Commissioner Vera Claussen, the longest-serving member of the commission, said she had supported installing a bill-paying station for many years.

"It just goes to show hat if you stick around long enough, and keep hammering and working away, good things will come," she said.

Commissioner Mike Conley said he had not initially supported spending the money to build the new pay station, but he understands the importance of customer service the longer he's on the commission.

Commissioner Randy Allred thanked the crew that rebuilt the lobby. The construction took about three weeks.

In addition to the new pay station, the new lobby fulfills additional security requirements set forth by the federal Department of Homeland Security, PUD spokesman Gary Garnant said. The public has access to the commission's meeting room, but the two doors leading to the bowels of building now require security clearance to enter.

Other goals for the remodel were improved traffic flow within the building, a more customer-friendly atmosphere in the lobby and a replacement of the carpets, Garnant said.

In other news, commissioners discussed an upcoming resolution to enter into a power-sales agreement with Idaho County Light & Power Cooperative Association, Inc.

The agreement would allow the PUD and the Idaho utility to simplify their two contracts under the new license for the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project. According to Garnant, two contracts that would supply power at a declining rate will be traded for a single contract that involves a smaller amount of power that is constant through the contract period.

Other utilities that have contracted with the PUD are considering similar agreements, which could reduce the 62 power sales contracts to a total of 34, according to Garnant.