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Chair Dietz commended staff for its small numberof injuries given the high-riskfield that <br />they work in. <br /> <br /> Moved by Commissioner Nadeau and seconded by Commissioner Bell to receive and file the <br />2021 Annual Safety Report. Motion carried 5-0 <br /> <br />5.0 BUSINESS ACTION <br />5.1 Financial Report – December 2021 <br />Ms. Slominski presented the December 2021FinancialReport andshared that she was <br />happy to see that ERMU had performed slightlybetter thanbudget. Ms. Slominski went <br />on to provide her opinion that the biggest contributor to increased expenses in 2021 was <br />higher purchased power costs. <br />Chair Dietz asked staff if they expect the budget and actual amounts of purchased power <br />costs to be closer in 2022, noting the disparity in 2021. Ms. Slominski responded that <br />there was a large disparity in power provider’s budget which created the gap. She added <br />that ERMU is again budgetingfrom the numbers that the power provider presents so any <br />potential disparity would depend on fluctuations in the market like those seen in 2021. <br />There was discussion. <br /> <br />Chair Dietz noted the increase in administrative expenses within the water budget. Ms. <br />Slominski explained that this line item was impacted by bonding and consulting fees as <br />well as the department’s share of medical and dental insurance. <br /> <br />Moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Nadeau to receive the <br />December 2021 Financial Report. Motion carried 5-0. <br /> <br />5.2 2021 Fourth Quarter Delinquent Items <br /> Ms. Slominski presented the 2021 Fourth Quarter Delinquent Items. She highlighted the last <br />paragraph in the memo that provides a national benchmark for the percentage of doubtful <br />accounts (bad debt/write-offs). ERMU is below that national average and its own budget <br />amount. Ms. Slominski credited staff with this favorable result. There was discussion. <br /> <br /> Chair Dietz asked if individuals who delayed payments during the pandemic have been <br />catching up. Ms. Slominski responded there are some payment plans in place and many <br />customers have received assistance. She also noted that ERMU’s receivables balance is in a <br />better position than it was at this point last year. There was discussion. <br /> <br /> Chair Dietz asked Mr. Portner if funds from the American Rescue Plan Act could cover some <br />portion of delinquencies. Mr. Portner responded that funds could be used for that purpose, <br />Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes <br />February 8, 2022 <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />53 <br />