Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
October 7, 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 7, 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, Matt Cole, Troy McCoy, Kris Swanson, Phillip Johnson, Gordon Matthews, Ryan Thamert, Jeanie Kuypers and multiple attendees not signed in.
Members of the Press: Sarah Wolf, 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 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 encourage Clark Public Utilities to work with the City of Battle Ground as they are requesting.
Carol Matthews stated she is in agreement with Ms. Chudy’s comments.
Consideration of the Minutes of September 20, 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 7, 2025, from the District Auditor (Materials C):
Electric Revenue Fund – $17,038,639.81
Water Revenue Fund – $1,132,848.26
Generating System Fund – $1,027,116.06
For a total of $19,198,604.13
Consideration of Resolutions of Establishment of LUD Nos. 1497 and 1502
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Establishment of Local Utility District Nos. 1497 and 1502.
Resolution No. 7905 – LUD No. 1497 – Legacy Village II
Resolution No. 7906 – LUD No. 1502 – Prairie Glen
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Barnes opened the public hearing for comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Van Dyke, seconded by Commissioner Erickson, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7905 and 7906 be adopted (Materials D).
Consideration of Bid Award No. 699 – Well 104 Replacement
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated October 7, 2025 detailing the bid results (Materials E). Commissioner Erickson moved to recommend that Bid No. 699 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder Holt Services, Inc., in the amount of $696,161.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Consideration of Bid Award No. 702 – Water Main Replacement – NE 167th & NE 170th Ave
Materials and Purchasing Manager Cathy Wannamaker reviewed the memo dated October 7, 2025 detailing the bid results (Materials F). Commissioner Erickson moved to recommend that Bid No. 702 be awarded to the low evaluated bidder Rotschy, Inc., in the amount of $2,315,206.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Water System Cost of Service and Rate Structure Design Review
Amber Gschwend from GDS Associates reviewed the presentation outlining the Water System Cost of Service and the Rate Structure Design (Materials G). The presentation included a 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 and the board will open a public hearing and consider action to adopt a Water System rate increase at the meeting on October 21, 2025. The board thanked staff and Ms. Gschwend for the work to prepare the study.
August Financials
Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny addressed the board (Materials H). The weather was warmer and drier than normal, which resulted in electric revenues and off-system sales being above budget. August residential sales were 109.8% of budget, commercial sales were 99.2% and industrial sales were 92.0% of budget. August ended the month with a net income loss of $1.9 million compared to a budgeted net income loss of $3.2 million for a year-to-date net income of $17.3 million compared to a budgeted year-to-date net income of $4.7 million.
The Water System ended August with 488 new customers year-to-date, which is a growth rate of 1.75%. August ended with a net income of $1.1 million compared to a budgeted net income of $1.2 million for a year-to-date net income of $1.9 million compared to a budgeted net income of $408,000.
August Wholesale Power Operations
Director of Energy Resources Steve Andersen addressed the board (Materials I). Mr. Andersen provided an update on power supply noting that August Slice generation was 2 aMW below budget and loads in August were 18 aMW above budget. August Slice production was 161 aMW, 1% less than the budget of 163 aMW and equal to The Energy Authority forecast.
Combine Hills I generation was 6.95 aMW, which was 39% less than the budgeted 11.5 aMW. Generation was 0 MW approximately 47% of all hours. Combine Hills II generation was 11.6 aMW, 33% higher than the budgeted 17.3 aMW, and generation was 0 MW approximately 54% of all hours.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioners Barnes and Erickson reported on their attendance at the Public Power Council and the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee meetings.
Commissioners Erickson and Van Dyke reported on their attendance at the Washington PUD Association meetings held in Moses Lake, WA.
Commissioner Erickson reported on her attendance at Dozer Days, Columbia River Economic Development Council Board Meeting, a meeting with the Executive Director of Columbia Springs and the ComCare Roundtable.
Commissioner Barnes reported on the recent updates from Energy Northwest regarding the Small Modular Reactor project.
Staff Reports
CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler let the board know that at the October 21, 2025 Commission Meeting staff will be asking for approval to sign the provider of choice contract. Ms. Wittler also encouraged interested attendees to provide feedback on the Water System rate design that was presented today.
Final Board Comments
There being no further board comments, the meeting was adjourned at 11:10 a.m.