Laserfiche WebLink
Chair Dietz asked for the Commission to discuss how the practice of absorbing $500,000 in <br />EAC would continue considering the high dollar impact. <br />Commissioner Bell noted that the practice creates challenges in the budgeting and tracking <br />costs throughout the year. He stated he was inclined to review finances at the end of the year <br />to decide if ERMU is in a position to offer a credit to customers. <br />There was agreement by the Commission to take that approach. <br />Upon inquiry if this would be an acceptable course of action, Attorney Beck asked if it would <br />be inconsistent with the current Reserves policy. <br />Ms. Slominski stated that she believed the policy did not require ERMU to allot $500,000 to <br />absorb EACs but that it could. She stated she would review the policy to be sure. <br />There was discussion about how the new approach would look on the budget sheet. <br />Chair Dietz asked how ERMU planned to communicate the rates increases and PCAs <br />throughout 2023. <br />Mr. Mauren shared the communication initiatives that had been used in 2022, including <br />newsletters and a website alert bar, all of which would be available in the coming year. <br />Ms. Slominski recommended communicating that customers should expect a PCA in 2023 <br />similar to the level in late 2022. <br />Ms. Karpinski also highlighted the plan to bond for the electric portion of the Advanced <br />Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project next year. <br />5.3 2022 Third Quarter Delinquent Items <br />Ms. Karpinski presented the 2022 Third Quarter Delinquent Items and asked the Commission <br />to approve items submitted. <br />Ms. Karpinski commended the collections department for its efforts in minimizing the impact <br />of delinquent items. <br />Commissioner Bell asked for an update on individuals who were delinquent under COVID-19 <br />protocols, which limited utilities ability to disconnect service for nonpayment. <br />Ms. Karpinski responded that if it was an option, those accounts were sent in for assessments <br />and if not they were sent to collections and revenue recapture. <br />Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes <br />November 8, 2022 <br />Page 4 <br />31 <br />