1.5. ERMUSR 10-08-2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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and programs to ERMU rates and programs; development of a demand credit program during the transition, booking of the transferred plant/assets; recognition of costs associated with the four factors in the financials including working with the auditors; rebuilding portions of the electric distribution system to meet ERMU standards and improve reliability; development and implementation of a communication and customer engagement plan; working with our accounting and billing software company to address data and rate issues; as well as many more tasks. These opportunities for collaboration and problem solving became stretch opportunities for staff. Many employees grew professionally through this initiative. Directly related to the implementation of this initiative, field staff did the planning for, procured materials for, installed, and then terminated equipment over 22 miles of electric cable. Of that, over seven miles of 3-phase feeders were installed. There were over 2,250 meters installed and nearly 2,000 accounts set up in the billing system. And, there were thousands of customer engagements and communications that occurred. All of this while maintaining operations and administration for existing customers and organic growth during the recession recovery, one of the busiest development times ERMU has experience since 2006. Within the transferred areas, there has been customer growth greater than the system average. The transferred areas have seen 4.5%growth since the transfer dates as indicated in the attached Table 1 —2015 Electric Service Territory Transfer Agreement—Customer Statistics. These areas are expected to continue to grow at a rate greater than the system average for years to come. In the end,the employees took on a significant initiative directed by the commission and supported unanimously by the council. The employees delivered the desired results in a safe, reliable, and cost effective manner. And, the employees delivered these results one year, 20%, ahead of schedule. All of this was achieved while maintaining the positive working relationship with Connexus Energy. And all of this was achieved while implementing other initiatives which allowed ERMU to lower electric rates by 5%. Not only is the completion of the transfer of this service territory and transfer of these customers a significant milestone, delivering this level of results in this manner, in this amount of time, while achieving goals to lower rates truly demonstrates the quality and dedication of our ERMU employees. ATTACHMENT: • 2015 Elk River Municipal Utilities Electric Service Territory— History • 2015 Elk River Municipal Utilities & Connexus Energy Electric Service Territory Transfer Agreement—Overview • Table 1- 2015 Electric Service Territory Transfer Agreement—Customer Statistics Page 3 of 3 4