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Chair Dietz asked what projects were causing large water connection fees. The response <br />noted an apartment complex consisting of 181 units equaling about $728,000, an <br />agricultural facility totaling $85,000 and the field services building which totaled about <br />$51,000. <br />Chair Dietz asked if there will be a substantial profit in electric department for November <br />and December. The response was that there will be an improvement to the bottom line <br />and that in October the electric department was out of the red. Ms. Karpinski noted that <br />while it would not meet budget it should end up ok. There was discussion. <br />Chair Dietz shared his opinion that staff is doing an excellent job of managing expenses <br />and the things it can control, noting that purchased power costs are out of staff's control. <br />Moved by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner Nadeau to receive <br />the October 2022 Financial Report. Motion carried 5-0. <br />5.2 Wage & Benefit Committee Update <br />Ms. Slominski provided background on the development of a 2023 wage adjustment for staff <br />and presented the memo to the Commission which updated the metro average wage <br />adjustment for the lineworker pay group. The metro average increased to 3.21% due to finally <br />receiving data that had been requested at the time of the study of comparable utilities. The <br />Commission had previously agreed that the lineworker adjustment would apply to all staff. <br />Ms. Slominski noted that there is still one utility response that staff is waiting on and so <br />requested that the Commission approve the wage adjustment when this number is known <br />and factored into the average. <br />Mr. Hanson clarified that the Commission was comfortable with approving a wage <br />adjustment up to 3.25% which the unofficial numbers suggested it could be when the final <br />number is received. Mr. Hanson went on to explain that if the final adjustment is not received <br />before the end of the year there will be retroactive pay. <br />Chair Dietz clarified that the Commission was approving a maximum adjustment of 3.25% <br />with anything exceeding that requiring approval. Staff confirmed this was correct. <br />Moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Nadeau to approve a <br />wage adjustment of 3.21% for all staff, with the potential for it to increase up to 3.25% <br />upon receipt of comparison data, effective January 1, 2023. Motion carried 5-0. <br />5.3 2022 Annual Business Plan — Budget and Schedule of Rates & Fees <br />Ms. Karpinski presented her memo which proposed a 5% rate increase for electric services <br />and a 2% increase in water services for all customers. She went on to note that electric <br />Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes <br />December 13, 2022 <br />Page 6 <br />MI <br />