Adds $1.5 million for fiber delivery

EPHRATA - Grant County PUD's fiber-optics program receives another $1.5 million as part of next year's $497 million budget.

The program receives a total of $6.5 million to deliver new fiber, including high speed Internet service, to the Knolls Vista and Cascade Valley neighborhoods in Moses Lake.

The PUD is bringing fiber-optic service to all Grant County residents to eventually provide access to a high-speed Internet connection, according to the district's website.

Grant PUD commissioners unanimously approved the budget Monday.

Commissioner Dale Walker introduced an amendment to the motion, adding $1.5 million for fiber.

The amendment passed, but commission President Randy Allred and commissioner Bob Bernd voted against it.

Allred said he didn't support it, as $700,000  was added to this budget for fiber this year, beyond the budgeted amount.

He said it was far more appropriate to add capital dollars to the budget later in the year, to better gauge how the year was going.

Bernd said he was a proponent of fiber and the fiber build-out.

Given this year's rate increase, he didn't feel comfortable increasing the budget beyond the budgeted $5 million for fiber.

Commissioner Tom Flint said the district's original plan was to spend $10 million per year on fiber. Instead, they substantially reduced the amount during these times.

Commissioner Terry Brewer said residents most often ask him when they'll receive fiber. This year's budget also funds turbine and generator replacement at Wanapum Dam, building and operations for fish hatcheries, constructing parks and protecting cultural resources, and building a new 230-kilovolt transmission line, according to Sarah Morford, a district spokesperson.

Some of the work is required by the district's federal license to own and operate its dams.

The transmission line helps accommodate growing energy demands in Grant County.

Increased electrical rates are helping pay for the projects, with residential rate increases of 6.8 percent starting Feb. 1.

Last year's budget was $477 million, $20 million less than the 2012 budget.

"Grant PUD is in a strong position to meet the financial needs of our utility," stated Kevin Nordt, the district's chief financial officer. "This budget reflects the hard work of staff to find innovative ways to save money. We continue to value the resources in our care and are working diligently to provide our customers with some of the lowest electric costs in the nation."