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staff was in the process of cleaning up. Mr. Ninow explained that staff has been reminded <br />to wear personal protective equipment throughout the process. <br /> <br />5.0 BUSINESS ACTION <br /> <br />5.1 Financial Report – December 2022 <br /> <br />Ms. Karpinski presented her report showing that electric usage YTD was down 2% while <br />water usage YTD was down 7%. She added that December was good overall for both <br />departments. <br /> <br />Chair Dietz submitted questions prior to the meeting on the increases in Maintenance <br />Expense and Other Operating Expense compared to the previous year. <br /> <br />Ms. Karpinski responded that the Maintenance Expense increase comes from tree <br />trimming while Other Operating Expense increases comes from the switch to age-banded <br />medical plan in 2021. She explained that under government accounting standards ERMU <br />does not have to recognize the liability with the change in plans, so it became a credit in <br />the previous year leading to a variance when comparing the line item with 2022. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bell asked if there was a way to account for tree trimming more <br />consistently, adding his opinion that it is regularly over budget. <br /> <br />Ms. Karpinski explained that question was focused on the variance and because tree <br />trimming was not budgeted in 2021 it shows a large increase in 2022. She added that tree <br />trimming did come in under budget in 2022 due to the contractors inability to complete <br />all the scheduled work. There was discussion. <br /> <br />Commissioner Stewart asked if the decrease in the Construction in Progress line item <br />along with the increase in General Fixed Assets was due to the construction of the field <br />services building. Staff confirmed this was correct. <br /> <br />Chair Dietz asked if there had been any change to the budgeting process to account for <br />power cost adjustments in 2023 to try to avoid overages. <br /> <br />Ms. Karpinski explained that the Utilities will not be absorbing the initial $500,000 from <br />the Energy Adjustment Clause and will have the correct rates from Minnesota Municipal <br />Power Agency which should improve the budgeting process. <br /> <br />Moved by Commissioner Bell and seconded by Commissioner Nadeau to receive the <br />December 2022 Financial Report. Motion carried 5-0. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />52