5.4 ERMUSR 05-09-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Key Accounts Specialist. This position will need to be filled prior to the service territory transfer to help with the meter data and account analysis of the 450 customers being transferred. Related, but not an action item resulting W&BC recommendation was filling the vacant Technical Service Superintendent position. This position was filled on April 28. As discussed during the Commission meeting,these changes, because of the natural delay in hiring, will result in a nearly net zero impact to the 2017 budget. One additional item discussed during the W&BC meeting, and subsequently in the update to the Commission, was the needed addition of a second locator. As stated at the April Commission meeting, in 2009 ERMU had two full time locators. During the recession, one of the locators applied for an internal promotion and became a Meter Technician. That second locator position was not backfilled at that time. With the addition of the electric service territory transfers from Connexus Energy and the recovery of the economy, the number of locates has increased. The change in the Meter Reader position from part time to full time was intended to temporarily create some internal relief so the Electric Technicians could provide backup support to the Locator. It was my recommendation, and that of the W&BC, to wait and see how this worked. One month later, it is clear that this will not work. We currently have ERMU's one full time locator working overtime. In addition, we have one Electric Technician working full time with overtime as a locator. And, we have a second Electric Technician and water operators helping with locating. Geographical coverage and the number of meets have played into the need for additional people locating. This will not be sustainable. The upcoming meter work related to the electric service territory transfer in September will require all of the Electric Technicians assistance. We do not anticipate the number of locates to decrease enough prior to the transfer for staff to cover the workload. It is recommended that ERMU add a second locator position effective immediately. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The addition of a second locator position will have negative impact to the 2017 budget of approximately $60,000 for wages and benefits. It is intended to fund this unbudgeted expense through the significant above budget connection fees being recognized in 2017. Alternatively, this could be funded from reserves for the remainder of 2017. This position would be incorporated in the 2018 budget along with the additional Lineworker and the change is employment status of the Meter Reader position. Page 2 of 2 1:AR