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IONE — The Board of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Pend Oreille County held its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, Sept. 29 at Box Canyon Dam.
Here are the key actions and updates from the meeting: * Revised Investment Policy: Commissioners approved updates to the PUD’s Investment Policy, which was originally adopted in 1999. The changes are largely housekeeping items that bring the policy up to date. The policy’s intent and priorities remain unchanged.
* Three 167 KVA Transformers Declared Surplus: Commissioners declared three older transformers as surplus after staff determined they are no longer serviceable or cost-effective to use. The transformers will be recycled.
* 15kV Hook Stick Disconnects: The Board approved the purchase of 90 disconnect switches for the Bare Mountain Substation. The two lowest bids did not meet the technical specifications, so the contract was awarded to Border States Industries, the lowest bidder that met all the PUD’s requirements.
* 15kV Main Regulators: Commissioners approved the purchase of six regulators for the Bare Mountain Substation. Sunbelt Solomon submitted the lowest bid that met all the PUD’s requirements.
* Fiber Broadband Service for Mountain West Bank: The Board approved a contract to upgrade fiber broadband service to Mountain West Bank in Ione.
* New Accounts Payable Analyst Position: Commissioners approved adding a fulltime accounts payable analyst position to support the PUD’s finance department. As part of the 2027 budget process, staff presented the Board with an update on planned projects for next year.
Projects include continued construction of the Bare Mountain Substation, wildfire mitigation and vegetation management work, designs for a new transmission line from the Pine Street Substation to the Diamond Lake Substation, rebuilding the Box Canyon Tap transmission line, repairs to the spillway crane at Box Canyon Dam, development of a new website and expanded use of existing utility software to improve operations and customer notifications.
Staff explained that these projects are more than individual improvements planned for the coming year. They are part of the PUD’s broader strategic plan to make thoughtful, long-term investments in the infrastructure, technology and systems
SEE PUD, 4A needed to serve customers for years to come.
Staff also provided updates on several financial and operational items: * The PUD expects to receive more than $22.3 million from Clark Public Utilities in 2027 under its power sales agreement for electricity generated at Box Canyon Dam.
* The Board received a reminder about the PUD’s privilege tax, which is paid in place of property taxes for operating a utility in Washington. The PUD expects to pay $765,000 in privilege taxes this year, with about $428,200 going to Pend Oreille County.
* The aerial saw helicopter is expected to return to Pend Oreille County Thursday, Oct. 19 to complete the remaining planned work. The final stretch will take place in the northern part of the county.
* Repairs to the Box Canyon Dam spillway continue, along with construction of a new fire suppression system at the dam. The fire suppression system is expected to be completed by the end of October.
* Staff is working on a new project aimed at improving workflow throughout the utility. The project uses existing computer programs to help automate the work order process, reducing many of the manual steps involved and helping shorten project timelines.
