6.1e3 ERMUSR 02-14-2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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OUR MISSION To provide our customers with safe, reliable, cost- effective, and quality long-term electric and water utility services. To communicate and educate our customers in the use of utility services, programs, policies, and future plans. These products and services will be provided Exciting Transition to Start the New Year After serving just over 18 years in various roles at Elk River Municipal Utilities, Theresa Slominski officially retired as General Manager on January 2, 2023. Mark Hanson has since assumed full duties as the new GM, bringing with him 25 years of experience as a public works professional. Ms. Slominski worked her way through the ranks, starting as the Payroll & Accounts Payable Clerk. She then went on to Accounting & Office Manager, Administrations Director, and then General Manager for the last two years of her career. During her tenure, Theresa saw ERMU grow from roughly 20 employees to 48, move from a three -person to a five -person Commission, transition to a new software system with NISC, convert to advanced meter reading systems, and construct a new field services building. We would like to thank Ms. Slominski for her long-standing service to ERMU and we wish her well in her retirement. .................................................................................................... in an environmentally "l am so proud of ail the employees at ERMU. They are good, hardworking people that care about and financially our customers! l am humbled they trusted me With the role of GM and l am very excited for Marh responsible manner. Hanson to take the Lead. l hnow he will do great things for this organization!" - Theresa Slominski .................................................................................................... ............................... Rates and Operations Update OUR $7.47 As inflation and supply chain issues continue to impact our daily lives, it VISION ELECTRIC is important for our community to know that wholesale power costs are not immune to this economic reality. Customers may have noticed Power Provide exceptional $0.42 Cost Adjustments (PCA) on their bill in 2022, which are a direct pass services and value to WATER through of price increases incurred from ERMU's power provider. those we serve. Monthty price increase ERMU staff has worked diligently to keep operations costs down and for an average RESIDENTIAL customer. we continue to educate our customers on how they can lower their bills .""""'°""'.""""""" through conservation and rebates. However, wholesale power costs make up around 70% of ERMU's budget and have increased by 27% over the last two years. OUR This means that responsible budget setting requires an electric rate increase for 2023. Building VALUES these increases into our rates is in line with our mission statement to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective services for customers. INTEGRITY Keeping true to our core value of timely and clear communication, we are reporting that 0 QUALITY the Commission has approved a 5% increase in electric rates and expected PCA charges throughout 2023. OCOMMUNICATION The Commission also approved a 2% increase in water rates to address items such as a OSAFETY conservative estimate for usage and growth, system maintenance, and water quality. ERMU remains committed to helping customers use their electricity and water efficiently. s. COMPETITIVE Looking to the future, we have begun the multi -year process of implementing Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). This service will provide precise, real-time data to help customers better understand their utility usage and identify specific, measurable actions to improve that usage. As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.