PUD report

The Wahkiakum County PUD Commissioners met on Tuesday, Feb. 18, for their regularly scheduled meeting. The Commissioners passed a motion to change the job position title from auditor to director of finance. This new title describes the job’s duties in a more encompassing way and will better assist in acquiring a replacement for the position. The commissioners then held a workshop on the Town of Cathlamet Utilities Consolidation. Commissioner Eugene Healy drafted an opening statement that broke down the conversation surrounding the water system consolidation. “In the past, there have been at least preliminary conversations between the PUD and the Town of Cathlamet about merging the Town and Puget Island water systems under PUD ownership and management,” read Commissioner Healy. The workshop went on to clarify what the consolidation could mean for everyone involved should both entities agree to it. Commissioner Healy read several pages illustrating the various potential pros and cons for consumers, the Town of Cathlamet and Puget Island, and utility entities, PUD and the Town of Cathlamet.

Some cons for the TOC utility entity include the loss of utility revenue, which is the main source of revenue for the Town and goes toward funding the pool, library, parks, etc. The pro for the TOC is they would no longer have the pressure to maintain water systems with the PUD taking over and, consequently, reducing debt obligations for the town as much of that debt is tied to the water plan. Should PUD take on the significant debt attached to the TOC water plan, that debt would potentially be reflected in the water rates of Puget Island residents. A pro for Puget Island consumers could be increased efficiency should the Town and Puget Island Water Systems combine. Consumer cons include a potential tax increase for TOC residents to offset some of the utility revenue loss. Some pros for TOC consumers would be an elevated managerial structure. “PUD has a professional management structure. The town has a part-time Mayor,” said Healy in his workshop draft. This consolidation would open TOC customers to resources offered by the PUD, including, according to Healy, “nearly immediate repairs to Raw Water Intake, SCADA system, other critical infrastructure deficiencies.”

No updates or decisions have been made since the Town of Cathlamet Utility Consolidation study was published. The study can be found on the Wahkiakum PUD website (wahkiakumpud.org). The next Town Council/PUD Consolidation meeting will be held Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 10 a.m. in the River Street Meeting Room (25 River St., Cathlamet).