Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
October 21, 2025
A meeting of the Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at 1200 Fort Vancouver Way on Tuesday, October 21, 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 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, Corporate Communications Manager Dameon Pesanti, Water Engineering Manager Tyler Clary, Accounting Manager Jackie Maddux, Financial Analyst Shelly Peebles, Industrial Key Accounts Manager Aaron Frechette, Human Resources Generalist Abby Olbrich, Security Supervisor Steve O’Neal and Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson.
Others present in person or via digital conference (phone or video): Jim Malinowski, Cathryn Chudy, Peter Harrison, Rick Marshall, Amber Gschwend, Mayor Matt Cole, Mayor Troy McCoy, Kris Swanson, Phillip Johnson, Carol Matthews, Kirk Johnson, Ryan Thamert, Jeanie Kuypers, Mark Herceg and several attendees not signed in.
Members of the Press: Sarah Wolf, The Columbian.
At 9:00 a.m., President Barnes called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials B).
Public Comment
Cathryn Chudy provided comment on the planned Small Modular Reactor project with Energy Northwest. She would like to see Clark Public Utilities not support the project. Her full written comments are available upon request.
Phillip Johnson provided comment on the proposed Water rate increase and encouraged Clark Public Utilities to work with the City of Battle Ground.
Carol Matthews stated she agrees with Ms. Chudy’s comments.
Consideration of the Minutes of October 7, 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 October 21, 2025, from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $21,650,649.02
Water Revenue Fund – $446,310.22
Generating System Fund – $390,133.58
For a total of $22,487,092.82
Public Hearing and Consideration of Resolution to Update the Water Rate Structure
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny reviewed the presentation outlining the Water System Cost of Service and the Rate Structure Design (Materials D). The presentation included a brief water system capital expense overview, cost of service analysis, regional rate comparisons, and rate recommendations.
The study showed significant capital investments projected over the next four years requiring rates to increase in 2026 and 2027 to maintain a target debt service ratio of 1.4. Additional rate study considerations were supply and infrastructure, safety and reliability, regulatory requirements, system development, and equity. Multiple rate design options were developed to meet revenue requirements.
Commissioner Barnes opened the public hearing to consider updates to the Water Rate Structure.
City of Ridgefield Mayor Matt Cole requested the board consider a municipal rate for cities so they would not be included in the non-residential rate as this new structure reflects. Mayor Cole also asked that the decision be postponed for ongoing discussions between Clark Public Utilities and the City of Ridgefield. Full written comments were provided and are available upon request.
City of Battle Ground Mayor Troy McCoy requested the board consider a municipal rate for Batte Gound and asked the board and staff to review an agreement from 2005 when making these considerations. Mayor McCoy asked for this decision to be postponed to allow for more time for involvement in the process since they were unaware of the rate structure changes.
Commissioner Barnes asked attendees from the cities if they attended previous board meetings where this topic was covered and their staff indicated they had attended the Water Cost of Service workshop (on September 29) and the meeting on October 7, 2025, addressing the potential rate structure changes.
Battle Ground City Manager Kris Swanson emailed the board on October 20, 2025, requesting a municipal rate for the City of Battle Ground and the City of Ridgefield. Copy of the full email is available upon request.
Legacy Hospital and Battle Ground School District also provided written comment that is available upon request.
Commissioner Erickson provided comment outlining Clark Public Utilities’ commitment to providing safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water to its more than 41,000 customers countywide. Commissioner Erickson stated that a rate adjustment is necessary to maintain reliable service, meet new water quality standards, account for county growth and meet utility revenue requirements. Even with the proposed rates, Clark Public Utilities will continue to have some of the lowest rates in the Pacific Northwest. Commissioner Erickson would like to see conversations continue with the cities to further evaluate the cost to serve municipal customers, as well as consideration of a low-income program for water users.
Commissioner Barnes asked the cities of Ridgefield and Battle Ground if, since they have higher water rates than Clark Public Utilities, they have low-income programs to assist their customers with high water bills. The response was no. Commissioner Barnes encouraged Utility staff to work on a low-income program for Clark Public Utilities water customers.
Commissioner Van Dyke acknowledged that water rates have not increased in 12 years and doing a rate increase is the hardest thing a board has to do, noting that with growth unfortunately comes cost increases. Commissioner Van Dyke thanked staff for a well thought out capital plan for the future and expressed hope that good conversations will continue with all large water use customers, not just municipal customers.
Commissioner Barnes shared that the base charge needs to be adjusted to correctly reflect the use of the system by all customers, noting that the system is built to accommodate the greatest need, and we have to build to that capacity. Commissioner Barnes said she was sympathetic to the hospital we had heard from regarding these changes, and while the hospital understood the need to make a change they preferred an approach with an effort toward conservation.
Member of the public Peter Harrison commented during the public hearing that the rate increase is in line with inflation and he supports the proposal.
With no more public comment Commissioner Barnes closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to recommend Residential Water Rate Schedule Option #1 as presented with effective dates of January 1, 2026, and January 1, 2027. Commissioner Erickson and Barnes shared support for Residential Water Rate Option #2 as presented with effective dates of January 1, 2026, and January 1, 2027. Following further discussion Commissioner Van Dyke’s motioned was not seconded and did not move to a vote.
Commissioner Erickson moved to recommend Residential Water Rate Option #2 as presented with effective dates of January 1, 2026, and January 1, 2027. Commissioners Erickson and Barnes voted in favor and Commissioner Van Dyke voted against, and the motion passed.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to recommend Non-Residential Water Rate Schedule #1 as presented with effective dates of January 1, 2026, and January 1, 2027. Commissioner Erickson seconded the motion and it unanimously passed.
Commissioners thanked staff and Ms. Gschwend for the considerable work on the Cost of Service Analysis and rate designs.
Consideration of a Bonneville Power Administration Power Contract – Load Following Agreement
Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen reviewed the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Provider of Choice Contract process (Materials E). Mr. Andersen outlined the power and environmental attributes of the contract, how River Road Generating Plant fits in as a dedicated resource, the above high water mark decision and the BPA day-ahead market participation. Staff is seeking approval of the contract and the authorization for CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler to execute the contract on behalf of Clark Public Utilities.
Commissioner Van Dyke moved to authorize CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler to sign the BPA Power Contract – Load Following as presented, Commissioner Erickson seconded the motion and it unanimously passed.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Barnes reported on her attendance at the Regional Electric/Gas Symposium and the Northwest Public Power Association meeting.
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on her attendance at the American Public Power Legal Conference and the Regional Electric/Gas Symposium.
Staff Reports
There were no staff reports.
Final Board Comments
Commissioner Barnes reminded attendees that the Budget Workshop would be held on Wednesday, November 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the meeting was adjourned at 11:11 a.m.