Commissioners analyze cost of electrical service

First of three public workshops scheduled

EPHRATA — The Grant County Public Utility District commission is spending the next five months studying power costs per customer class to determine future revenue requirements for the utility.

Commissioners and staff are relying on the expertise of Economic and Financial Strategies, Inc., of Issaquah, Wash., to complete the analysis.

Three public workshops are planned to be held by the commission during the process to explain study plans, provide a status update and present final results.

The first workshop is to be held at 2 p.m., on June 18, at the PUD's headquarters building in Ephrata.

"A cost of service analysis is an important step in maintaining the strong financial position of the utility," said Commission President Randy Allred. "With this study, we hope to refine the PUD's financial forecast and set a framework for potential future rate-design policy."

The cost of service analysis is scheduled for completion and presentation to the commission by Oct. 1, 2007.

The most recent cost of service study was conducted in 1997.

— Staff report