The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Wahkiakum PUD commissioners and management met September 7 to discuss policies and hear updates on ongoing projects.

Ken Ruche, who owns a house on Covered Bridge Road, attended the meeting to comment on the PUD’s deposit policy.

Ruche said his family moved into their home in March of 2008. The PUD required a two-month deposit of $700 and told Ruche that he would receive the deposit back in two years. When he came to the PUD office recently to inquire about the deposit, he was told that if a customer makes a late payment, the 24-month window starts again. Ruche conceded that he had made a couple of late payments during that time but had always paid and felt that he should get his deposit back.

He suggested implementing late fees rather than a deposit, adding a month to the 24-month window for every late payment, or offering customers the option to pay over the phone via credit card.

Further, Ruche said, the 15-day payment window and the timing of billing is hard on many households under current economic circumstances and that shutoff notices are sent very rapidly after a single missed payment. He noted he had talked to utility customers in California who have a 60-day grace period. Ruche urged the board and staff to remember that they work for the ratepayers.

Commissioner Larry Reese reflected that the PUD’s disconnect policy will be on the agenda in two weeks and that the commissioners may hold a public workshop about the issue in mid September.

Auditor Erin Wilson clarified that the new accounting software currently being installed has the capability to accept credit cards.

The commissioners all agreed that Ruche’s suggestions merited review. Gregg promised to ask about customary grace periods among other Washington PUD Association members at their next meeting.

Jungers asked Wilson to clarify the policy on deposits. Wilson said no deposit is required for most new residential customers unless dictated by prior payment history; a deposit is required for commercial accounts.

The commissioners heard an employee report from Jim Jespersen of the water department who reported on a conference he had attended. He shared that the state Department of Health will be increasing their fees, which are based on the total number of connections.

Jespersen also announced he had found a vendor who would do annual water system testing at a reduced cost and with free pickup.

Manager Dave Tramblie reported that the Puget Island Welcome Slough Road water main project has been completed and the pole testing contractors have tested 53 percent of the system’s poles.

Commissioner Reese asked if computer connection issues preventing staff from viewing Westend water system data from the Cathlamet office was critical for the alarm system. No, clarified Jespersen, as the alarm system notifies staff in the office by phone.

Wilson said she attended the same water system conference as Jespersen to attend workshops on rate setting and financing capital projects.

Tramblie and Wilson will take time to strategize future capital projects for the system. Wilson noted that the plan for the Westend water system would be due next year, which will require time and money. Tramblie said $10,000 had been earmarked for the project in the 2010 preliminary budget. Wilson said she is still hoping to reestablish a pay station for utility customers in the Westend.

Reese urged commissioners and staff to promote more of the positive things they do for the community.

He suggested reserving a booth space during next year’s fair. He shared that he, Wilson, and other staff members and family members had volunteered at the Wahkiakum Community Network pancake breakfast feed during the recent longboard races.

The commissioners reviewed the bill stuffer policy that they had established in 2005, which dictated no non-PUD stuffers with the exception of garbage coupons would be allowed.

Gregg shared that the commissioners were so adamant because at the time they were allowing so many non-profits to include inserts that the PUD had to put extra postage on bills while absorbing the cost. Billing cycle timing was also an issue.

Reese said that Cathlamet mayor George Wehrfritz had approached him recently to ask that PUD commissioners and staff contact him with any issues about the water purchase agreement the PUD received recently from the town.

Wilson noted that she and Tramblie had reviewed the agreement and requested further documentation from town staff. She said she would let Wehrfritz know.

Reese also reported that Wehrfritz was interested in meeting with PUD staff to discuss how the two organizations could work together more closely. Tramblie said he would call Wehrfritz.