Council: Proceed with PUD talks on utilities accounting

In a special meeting last Friday, members of the Cathlamet Town Council voted 4-1 to affirm overtures to Wahkiakum PUD to discuss combining water system billing.

Mayor George Wehrfritz approached the PUD in August to ask if that agency would be interested in investigating the feasibility of joint meter reading, billing and posting of water system accounts.

Wehrfritz said the concept had come from discussions he had had with the council's two-person utilities committee.

PUD commissioners responded they were interested, but they asked that the whole council vote on the matter to show support.

"They want to make sure we're serious," Wehrfritz said.

Before voting, council members expressed a variety of opinions and concerns on the issue.

Wehrfritz pointed out that the two agencies both have employees who go to the same residences in town to read meters, which is a duplication of effort.

"My sense is that there is a huge savings here," Wehrfritz said. "It's a win-win situation."

Council Member Steven McNicholas said that based on his experience in industry, there wouldn't be a savings. PUD wages are higher than town wages, he said, so a rate from the PUD would likely have higher overhead than a rate from the town.

Weherfritz disagreed. "Their guy is going to every property we have," he said. "They walk past our houses already."

Council Member Wally Wright suggested the town offer to read meters for the PUD; it would likely be a cost savings for the PUD, he said.

McNicholas suggested the town wouldn't want to transfer all account data to the PUD. Clerk-treasurer Tina Schubert said that wouldn't be an issue, for the town already furnishes data under the contract between the agencies for sale of water to the Puget Island Water System.

Wright objected to the fact that the council hadn't already had discussion on the issue.

"I think our information system stinks if the first time I hear about this is from the PUD," he said.

"This went through the utility committee," Wehrfritz said. "That's why we have committees."

Wehrfritz played down concerns that the town's billing clerk might lose her job.

He commented that engineers predict that with the town's new wastewater treatment plant coming online next year, the town will need to add at least a half-time, if not full-time, employee.

"We don't know anything at this moment," said Council Member Bob Rendler. "We haven't been given a proposal from the PUD. So, we don't know if it will be a cost savings or not.

"All we're trying to show today is, yeah, we're interested in your proposal."

"Efficiency is good," said Council Member Ruth Doumit. "This is not about making a decision; it's just to get it on the table."

After more discussion, Rendler, Dick Swart, Doumit and Wright voted to proceed with discussion; McNicholas voted against the motion.

Wahkiakum PUD met yesterday (Wednesday), Wehrfritz, Rendler and Wright planned to attend the meeting to continue the discussion.