PUD report

On Tuesday, the Wahkiakum County PUD Board of Commissioners began their meeting by unanimously approving the agenda, minutes and finances. PUD Manager Dan Kay updated the Board on the Puget Island Water System well drilling, the bid for which was approved by the Board in October to Schnieder Equipment, Inc. “This is exciting,” Kay said as he described the pre-construction meeting with Schnieder Equipment, “they’re going start next Monday.” Kay went on to reiterate that their process for water testing has been fully approved by the Department of Health and the Department of Ecology.

Kay also debriefed the Board on the Town of Cathlamet Council meeting he attended last week where he learned new information that could aid in the PUD’s analysis for the consolidation. According to Kay, in this budget workshop it was brought to light that the Town currently has two additional outstanding loans totaling $981,000, which has been confirmed by the Town of Cathlamet Clerk-Treasurer. Kay states that the PUD was unaware of this information before the workshop.

The Board of Commissioners decided a potential rate increase of 4.5% would not be included in the next budget proposal meeting.