12-14-2021 ERMU MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner Stewart to receive the October 2021 Financial Report. Motion carried 4-0. 5.2 Wage & Benefits Committee Update Ms. Slominski shared that the Wage & Benefits Committee (W&BC) met on November 29 to discuss wage adjustments for 2022. The Committee reviewed the metro average for the Lineworker pay group and the 3%wage adjustment included in the budget. The Committee also discussed plans for benchmarking the other pay groups of Office, Field, and Management in the future. Based on the metro average benchmarking, the W&BC recommended awarding the metro average wage increase of 2.8%for the Lineworker pay group and awarding the 3%wage adjustment included in the budget for the Office, Field, and Management pay groups. Ms. Slominski highlighted future plans for benchmarking the other pay groups which include a thorough review of all position descriptions, participating in an all-position wage benchmarking survey, and determining a compensation review process. Commissioner Westgaard asked if there was information available from Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association. Ms. Slominski responded that there was. Chair Dietz expressed his appreciation for having HR staff to analyze the data. There was discussion. Moved by Commissioner Bell and seconded by Commissioner Stewart to approve the following effective January 1, 2022: • 2.8%wage adjustment for the Lineworker pay group • 3.0%wage adjustment for the Office, Field, and Management pay groups Motion carried 4-0. 5.3 2022 Annual Business Plan: Budget, Schedule of Rates & Fees Ms. Karpinski presented her memo on the 2022 Annual Budget Plan: Budget, Schedule of Rates & Fees. Ms. Karpinski noted changes from the prior month which include: a doubling in price for transformers, additional cost for a bobcat and a snowblower, water work for the Highway 169 Redefine project, dues and subscriptions, and consulting costs for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project. Chair Dietz asked about four line items from the Electric Budget Summary which are scheduled to be funded from reserves and whether that was a typical amount. Staff said there is variability from year to year but that the amounts are normal/expected. Chair Dietz asked what the $500,000 dedicated to the AMI project will produce. Staff responded that this portion would pay for the network required to run the program and the first set of meters. Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes December 14, 2021 Page 4