Grant PUD commissioners discuss fiber buildout funding

WANAPUM DAM — The continuing buildout of the Grant County PUD fiber system, and the money budgeted to pay for it, was discussed at the regular commission meeting Tuesday.

The budget hasn’t been approved yet, and the preliminary budget presented Tuesday included $5.8 million for connecting new customers and expanding the system. About $3 million is allocated to adding new customers within the existing system. “We don’t currently have additional dollars in the 2019 year plan for additional expansion,” said chief financial officer Jeff Bishop. Utility district officials planned to review the program, and see how it would impact the PUD’s financial picture, before moving, Bishop said.

The fiber buildout has reached about 70 percent of district customers.

“I thought we were going along the road of having $7 million available” each year allocated to the buildout, said commissioner Tom Flint. “That’s kind of the understanding that is out there.” Adjustments can be made if necessary, he said. “We’ve always said subject to financing, I get that. But we’ve pretty well said we’re trying to get $7 million a year for fiber customers.”

Chief executive officer Kevin Nordt said the $7 million allocation was for 2018 only, with the provision to review it at the end of each year and determine what could be spent. Flint said his understanding was that the PUD would try to provide $7 million per year for the buildout, if the PUD could afford it.

Commissioner Larry Schaapman said he thought that was right, with the stipulation that the commissioners must review the district’s finances at the end of each year before deciding how much to allocate to the buildout. “When I voted on it last year, it was on a year-by-year basis. It looked like we had the money for 2018, so I voted on approval, but I didn’t have anything attached for 2019.”

“Well, we came out with a 10-year plan for $7 million a year, subject to review and subject to financial health, that was my understanding,” Flint said. The commission can adjust that, but the commitment should be acknowledged during the budget process, he said.

Nordt said PUD officials are committed to finishing the buildout; the only question is how quickly.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.