5.3. ERMUSR 07-17-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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know what they have. It is important to not only to provide safe and reliable services, but to share with our customers how and why and who we are. American Public Power Association has released a video that shares the importance of the public power business model. This is something that ERMU can share with our customers and our community. In addition, we need to continue to connect and engage our customers,to share our history,to share our story, and to take pride in owning and operating a not-for-profit utility that serves our community. Some vehicles and ideas for communicating with our customers are: • ERMU website, Current Newsletter, and bill stuffers. • The City of Elk River's cable TV channel, newsletters, and publications. • The Star News and other third party news media. • Involvement through Rotary, Chamber, Lions, and/or other community organizations. • Direct work with key accounts and businesses. • Social media. Strategic Planning—This is the process performed by organization's key stakeholders to develop defined organizational direction/goals and a roadmap to get there. Typically this is establishing a path for the future of the organization looking out 5 years, sometimes further. Strategic thinking is very different from operational thinking, which focuses on successfully running a smooth and efficient organization over short term. Both strategic thinking and operation thinking are very important. Strategic planning is something the Utilities Commission should consider for the near future. Some considerations of the process for Commission discussion are: • Consider contracting a facilitator to oversee a strategic planning process. • Vision and long term goals established by key stakeholders who typically include policy makers and management team. • Perhaps incorporate APPA Reliable Public Power Provider(RP3) categories: Safety, Reliability, Employee Development, System Innovation and Maintenance. • Implement a policy outlining a"Triple Bottom Line"approach that considers fiscal, social, and environmental responsibilities to our community. • Policy makers establish policy supporting goals; management develops action steps to achieve strategic plan goals. • Revisit vision and goals annually, perhaps during budgeting. Utilities Commission Governance Policy—Just as with any job, understanding the responsibility and expectations associated with that job is essential to be effective and successful. In particular, the fiduciary responsibilities of the Commission relating to compliance with legal requirements, protection of assets, and accurate accounting and reporting of financial transactions and conditions are critical responsibilities for the Utilities Commission to understand because these responsibilities are non-delegable. The Commissioners are personally responsible for these. The Commission is also indirectly responsible for the performance, accomplishments, and method those accomplishments are achieved. These responsibilities are typically delegated to the General Manager. Also important for effective governance are clearly defined guidelines for the relationship with management, governance evaluations, and industry training. The Commission should consider establishing a governance policy. The following are some discussion points for the Commission relating to effective governance. P 0 N E A E Y e r r3 Page 2 of 3 INATUREI Reliable Public Power Provider P o w r R(r) T o S F R V F