PUD report for Aug. 5

During the PUD Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, Aug. 5, Commissioner Reed suggested considering hiring an assistant manager in lieu of the expansions the PUD has been undergoing recently.

General Manager Dan Kay gave an update on the TOC water system consolidation. “I want to thank the Town staff and mayor for being very cordial and supportive during this transition,” said Kay, who explained that this has been an extremely busy time. Recent activity has included the establishment of high-speed internet at the water plants, the improvement of physical and cyber security at the plants, and the hiring of a utility operator for the water and wastewater department. According to Kay, the new hire will begin work this month. Kay has also enlisted the assistance of Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s office in getting things moving on the Raw Water Intake Project, which has been waiting on the Army Corps of Engineers to begin.

During the meeting, rates for the new TOC water/sewer customers were set, and billing will start next month. Regarding operating agreements, it was agreed that rates would initially remain the same as current TOC rates and there would be a set rate for all customers, including those outside of town. At one point, confusion arose regarding the logic behind some of the current rates stated in the TOC water/sewage rates, which will remain as they are for the time being. Legal Counsel Tim Hanigan assured the commissioners, “We are acquiring data and will be revisiting [these rates] soon.” The next PUD meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 8:30 a.m.