Grant PUD extends budget comment period

EPHRATA - An unexpected power sale at Grant County PUD may change the district's proposed budget of $498 million to $510 million due increased costs and revenues associated with the transaction.

Commissioners agreed at their last meeting to extend the public comment period to Dec. 19 to give ratepayers more time to submit comments or address the commission in person.

The budget is reviewed again this Monday during the weekly commission meeting.

Dennis Conley, of the Ag Power Users of Grant County, told commissioners he didn't know how adding the power sale changed the numbers like it did.

He thought the district should go with their original assumption and treat it as a variance to the budget.

Conley said he was hoping the budget would be in the $495 million range.

Commissioner Bob Bernd said he understood the district had budget hearings, but asked why they wouldn't want to use the most current information.

He spoke of wanting to understand the sale and how it increased costs and revenues.

Bonnie Overfield, a district senior financial analyst, said the impact of the sale is a positive $9.5 million in 2012.

Conley said he would argue, if it's a variance, look at it as a variance.

Commission Tom Flint said the power sale was a surprise for commissioners that morning.

Overfield said staff was looking at the sale from a risk perspective, as they didn't want to include it in the financial forecast if the deal didn't get signed. 

Commissioner Terry Brewer said he appreciated the comments from Conley and the others about suggesting the district finish the process sooner.

Brewer said he became frustrated and disappointed when the rate increases were adopted before the budget.

Now they are looking at "drastic changes" from what was presented at public budget hearings, he said.

While he did know about the possible power sale, there was no caveat that selling the power would drive the budget up, he said.

Brewer said he didn't recall anything about a revised budget.

He recommended the power sale be treated as a variance, but to stick with the original plan for the budget.

Written comments can be emailed to commissioners@gcpud.org and mailed to Grant PUD, 30 C St. SW, PO Box 878, Ephrata, 98823.