Regular Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
May 5, 2026

A meeting of the Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

Present: President Jane Van Dyke, Vice President Sherry Erickson, Secretary Nancy Barnes Commissioners; CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen, Director of Engineering Ryan Kerr, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Communications and Corporate Citizenship Erica Erland, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Water Tyler Clary, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, General Counsel John Eldridge, Strategic Communications Manager Morgan Van Fleet, Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker, Construction Services Manager Dana Allen, Engineering Manager David Tetz, Business Applications Manager Michael Nino and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.

Staff present via digital conference (phone or video): Zeecha Van Hoose.

Others present in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Russ Schneider, Rick Marshall, Tom Gordon, Carol Matthews, Petina Gee, Jim Malinowski, Peter Harrison, Michael (no last name), Gary Vance, Jack Harroun, Nelson Holmberg, and Gordan Matthews.

At 9:00 a.m., President Van Dyke called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials B).

Public Comment
There were no public comments on non-agenda items.

Consideration of the Minutes of April 21, 2026
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 May 5, 2026 from the District Auditor (Materials C):

Electric Revenue Fund – $24,401,244.01
Water Revenue Fund – $476,276.61
Generating System Fund – $137,935.06

For a total of $25,015,455.68

Consideration of Bid Award No. 720 – OH & UG Line Work E Mill Plain Blvd and MacArthur Blvd
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated May 5, 2026, detailing the bid results (Materials D). Commissioner Erickson moved to recommend that Bid No. 720 be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, RiverLine Power, LLC. In the amount of $475,000.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Public Hearing for and Consideration of Resolutions Updating the Electric and Water System Development Charges
Director with consulting firm GDS Russ Schneider reviewed with the board a peer utility SDC comparison that added additional utilities per the Boards request after the presentation at the April 21 meeting. Historical SDC-setting methodology was also reviewed.

The analysis considered three methods to evaluate and set SDC charges: replication of existing framework, buy-in benchmark method, and an adjusted method for net position, contributions, and inflation. The study findings indicate a need to increase charges for electric system development from $9.85 to $19.63 per kVA in 2026. This increase reflects updated costs, retains the existing panel charge structure, and retains non-SDC system requirements for customer contributions.

Mr. Schneider went on to review the SDC analysis of the current Water System Fee structure and recommendations. Current fees include Meter/Service Install fees and Hydrant service fees. A summary of the history and methodology for establishing these fees and development charges, a review of peer utility cost comparison, and updated charges were recommended.

Commissioner Van Dyke opened for public comment.

Local developers Gary Vance, a multifamily developer, and Jack Harroun, a single-family home developer, shared concerns for a substantial increase all at once and asked for a staggered approach over several years. Both cited concerns about housing affordability, increased costs for developers and the continuing rise in building materials.

Nelson Holmberg, the Building Industry Association of Clark County Government Affairs and Workforce Development Manager, echoed the concerns of Mr. Vance and Mr. Harroun on behalf of the 750 members of his Association. Mr. Holmberg also cited rising costs and encouraged the board to consider a staggered approach to the increased fees.

The board thanked the public for their comments.

Commissioner Erickson thanked Mr. Schneider for his presentation and shared concerns that the recommended implementation deviated from standard utility rate setting practice and introduces a financial hardship to economic development. Commissioner Erickson indicated she does not support an automatic escalation without board approval but could support an escalation that is tied to a PPI 3-year rolling average with periodic review and approval by the board. Commissioner Erickson recommended a phased adjustment over multiple years, combined with clear policy alignment and continued review by the board.

Commissioner Barnes also supports a phased approach and continued board involvement with regard to future rate and policy adjustments. Commissioner Barnes also shared that rate payers have been bearing the cost of the low fees for many years and it is time to right size the fees.

Commissioner Van Dyke asked that staff consider the comments from members of the public and the board and prepare to present additional options at the next meeting.

The public hearing was moved to June 2, 2026, at which time the board will hear new proposals from staff, conduct the public hearing, and consider resolutions for the electric and water SDC structure.

March Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials F). The weather was warmer and wetter than normal, which resulted in electric sales revenue and off-system sales being below budget. March residential sales were 97.1% of budget, commercial sales were 99.6% and industrial sales were 97.3% of budget. March ended the month with a net income of $2.9 million compared to a budgeted net income of $1.9 million for a year-to-date net income of $16.2 million compared to $12.7 million budgeted.

The Water System ended March with 184 new customers year-to-date, which is a growth rate of 1.74%. March ended with a net income loss of $451,000 compared to a budgeted net income loss of $414,000 for a year-to-date net income loss of $459,000 compared to a $948,000 net income budgeted loss.

March Wholesale Power Operations
Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen addressed the board (Materials G). Mr. Andersen provided an update on power supply noting that March average daily load was 568 aMW, which was 12 aMW below budget.

Combine Hills I generation was 9.7 aMW, which was 13% less than the budgeted 11.2 aMW. Generation was 0 MW approximately 29% of all hours. Combine Hills II generation was 21.8 aMW, 22.8% less than the budgeted 22.8 aMW. Generation was 0 MW approximately 30% of all hours.

Box Canyon generation output was an average of 75 MW, 21 MW above the budget of 54 MW.

Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioners Barnes, Erickson, and Van Dyke all reported on their attendance at the Washington PUD Association Annual Meeting.

Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Energy Northwest Meetings.

Commissioners Erickson and Van Dyke reported on their attendance at the Arbor Day event held at Hough Elementary School.

Commissioner Erickson reported on her attendance at the Home and Garden Idea Fair Garden Party.

Staff Reports
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler reported that the Washington PUD Association Managers discussed the building repairs needed at the WPUDA Building in Olympia and none had concerns about supporting the funding required.

Final Board Comments
There were no additional comments and the meeting was adjourned at 11:25 a.m.