Clark Public Utilities gained’t elevate charges subsequent 12 months below a 2025 funds adopted by commissioners Tuesday morning.
“It’s always good to adopt a budget that has no rate increase involved,” Commissioner Jane Van Dyke stated.
This 12 months is a distinction to 2023, when the utility’s charges went up 14.5 p.c total to bridge a shortfall. The budgetary pinch was as a consequence of a wide range of components, together with inflation and provide chain points, excessive climate, low water ranges that hindered hydroelectric era, in addition to Washington’s clean-energy necessities.
Below the adopted 2025 funds, the utility expects so as to add 10 new staff, bringing its workforce to 444.5 full-time equal workers members.
Prime 5 Highest Paid Staff
Lena Wittler, CEO and Common Supervisor: $351,750
Melissa Ankeny, Director of Finance: $284,950
Cal Morris, Director of Engineering: $262,784
Eugene Morris, Director of Operations: $260,780
Jeffrey Groff, Director of Data Companies: $253,541
The utility’s funds is split into three most important classes — its electrical and water methods and the River Highway Producing Plant.
The electrical system’s funds is predicated on income from water and electrical charges. It’s $488 million for 2025 in contrast with $455.5 million in 2024. Of that, $314.8 million will go to energy provide prices together with hydropower, wind purchases and transmission providers to satisfy forecasted load. A portion of that funds goes to operations and upkeep — $82.3 million in 2025, in contrast with $76.8 million in 2024.
The water system’s funds can be $23.3 million, in contrast with $23.1 million in 2024. The water system’s capital funds of $27.3 million in 2025 consists of water most important enhancements in unincorporated Clark County.
The River Highway Producing Plant’s funds is $97.5 million in 2025, a lower from $99.6 million in 2024.
The utility plans to spend $97.9 million on capital initiatives for the electrical system and the River Highway Producing Plant, together with work on substations and transmission and distribution traces.
Commissioner Jim Malinowski, who’s retiring on the finish of the 12 months, stated electrical utilities proceed to confront challenges.
“You’re going to face some real uncertainty,” he informed his fellow board members.
Nevertheless, Commissioner Nancy Barnes stated the transition to wash power is thrilling. The utility is presently transitioning its River Highway pure gasoline plant to a fluctuating quite than base load energy supply.
“But we are sacrificing affordability and reliability,” she stated. “We have to be very careful that those things don’t happen.”