Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
July 1, 2025
A meeting of the Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
Present: President Nancy Barnes, Vice President Jane Van Dyke, Secretary Sherry Erickson Commissioners; CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen, Director of Operations/Interim Director of Water Gene Morris, Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, General Counsel John Eldridge, Strategic Communications Manager Morgan Van Fleet, Corporate Communications Manager Dameon Pesanti, Water Quality Specialist Gary St. John, Manager of Engineering and System Planning Ryan Kerr and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Staff present via digital conference (phone or video): Accounting Manager Bryan Johnson.
Others present in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Jim Malinowski, Rick Marshall, Tom Gordon, Peter Harrison, and Gordon Matthews.
At 9:00 a.m., President Barnes called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business. The agenda was approved as presented (Materials B).
Public Comment
Gordon Matthews met with State Representative Sharon Wylie to provide her with his gas tax collection idea for electric vehicle owners.
Consideration of the Minutes of June 17, 2025
The minutes were approved as submitted.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated June 17, 2025, from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $ 21,555,837.37
Water Revenue Fund – $ 528,154.51
Generating System Fund – $ 510,468.43
For a total of $ 22,594,460.31
Employee Service Awards
Water Quality Specialist Gary St. John and Manager of Engineering and System Planning Ryan Kerr were recognized for 25 years of employment (Materials D),
Consideration of Resolutions of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1495
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1495.
Resolution No. 7897 – LUD No. 1495 – Mill Creek Terrace
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Barnes opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Van Dyke, seconded by Commissioner Erickson, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7897 be adopted and a
public hearing was set for August 12, 2025 (Materials E).
Consideration of Performance Review and Resolution for the CEO/General Manager Salary
Commissioner Barnes shared that she agrees with CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler’s priorities for the coming year, prioritizing employees, implementation of a new Bonneville Power Administration contract, acquisition of new resources and energy compliance requirements.
Commissioner Van Dyke echoed comments made by Commissioner Barnes and added that she appreciates the legislative support from Ms. Wittler at the state level and her participation with organizations in the energy industry, local and nationwide.
Commissioner Erickson appreciates that Ms. Wittler and her team are strategically positioning Clark Public Utilities to continue meeting the needs of Clark County’s growing economy with affordable and reliable service. Her leadership reflects commitment, professionalism and expertise that benefit both our utility and our community.
Commissioner Erickson moved to increase Ms. Wittler’s salary to $365,820 annually, provide a $400 monthly car allowance, a one-time award of 100 hours of compensatory time in recognition of 2024 utility goals achieved, and all other benefits provided employees of the utility. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously (Materials F).
Ms. Wittler thanked the board for their continued confidence and thanked all the excellent employees on staff for the work that they do to provide reliable and affordable water and electricity, along with consistently outstanding and compassionate service to our customers.
Consideration of Provider of Choice
Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen reviewed the timeline and considerations leading up to the decision surrounding the Provider of Choice Contract (Materials G). The Energy Authority analysis shows that Bonneville Power Administration’s load following product is the lowest cost option for Clark Public Utilities and fits well with the utility’s Resource Portfolio over time, based on current considerations. The contract term is October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2044, with the earliest opportunity to switch products being October of 2032.
Commissioner Erickson moved to have staff inform Bonneville Power Administration via letter of Clark Public Utilities’ selection of the load following product for the Provider of Choice contract. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
May Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials H). The weather was warmer and significantly drier than normal, which resulted in electric revenues being below budget and off system sales being above budget. May residential sales were 96.4% of budget, commercial sales were 99.4% and industrial sales were 88.2% of budget. May ended the month with a net income of $2.2 million compared to a budgeted net income loss of $1.4 million for a year-to-date net income of $19.6 million compared to a budgeted year-to-date net income of $10.8 million.
The Water System ended May with 328 new customers year-to-date, which is a growth rate of 1.89%. May ended with a net income loss of $40,000 compared to a budgeted net income loss of $166,000 for a year-to-date net income loss of $833,000 compared to a budgeted net income loss of $2 million.
May Wholesale Power Operations
Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen addressed the board (Materials I). Mr. Andersen provided an update on power supply noting that May Slice generation was 15 aMW below budget and loads in May were 20 aMW below budget. May Slice production was 137 aMW, 32% less than the budget of 182 aMW and 19% less than The Energy Authority forecast of 163 aMW.
Combine Hills I generation was 8.5 aMW, which was 30% less than the budgeted 12.2 aMW. Generation was 0 MW approximately 41% of all hours. Combine Hills II generation was 21.8 aMW, 19% less than the budgeted 18.4 aMW, and generation was 0 MW approximately 37% of all hours.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Erickson reported on her attendance at the City of Vancouver’s Pollinator Festival, Repair Clark County, and the Columbia River Economic Development Council Investor meeting.
Staff Reports
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler announced that the Power Supply Workshop would be held on Tuesday, September 9 and the Commission Meetings in August would be held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday (August 12 and 26) rather than the 1st and 3rd due to conflicting industry meetings.
Final Board Comments
There being no further board comments, the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.