Chelan PUD Board to vote on $8.8M in consulting contracts, rate increases

WENATCHEE — The Chelan County Public Utility District board will vote on multiple contract amendments and rate increases at its November 18 meeting, including $8.8 million in additional spending for consulting services related to the Rock Island Hydroelectric Project relicensing.

Three consulting firms are set to receive contract increases for work on the relicensing process, which continues through December 31, 2028, when the current license expires. The proposed amendment would authorize an additional $3.65 million for Kleinschmidt Associates of Pittsfield, Maine, bringing their total contract to $8.95 million for primary consulting services.

Four Peaks Environmental Science and Data Solutions, LLC of Wenatchee would receive a $3.95 million increase, raising their contract to $4.45 million. Willamette Cultural Resource Associates of Portland is set for a $1.2 million increase, bringing their total to $1.57 million.

The board will also consider rate increases for electric, water and wastewater services. The proposal includes annual adjustments of 3% for electricity and 4% for water and wastewater services, effective June 1, 2025, and June 1, 2026.

For residential electric customers, the basic monthly charge would increase from $16.45 to $16.60 in 2025 and $17.60 in 2026 for single-phase service. Energy charges would rise from $0.0270 to $0.0280 per kilowatt-hour in 2025 and $0.0285 in 2026.

Other items on the agenda include:

• A $493,000 increase to Procore Technologies' contract for project management software, bringing the total to $725,000
• A $250,000 increase to Next Generation Consulting's contract for strategic planning support, raising it to $750,000
• Authorization to join Southwest Power Pool's Markets+ implementation program

The meeting will include a public hearing on the 2025 budget at 1:00 p.m. The regular session begins at 10:00 a.m. at the utility's headquarters at 203 Olds Station Road in Wenatchee.

Meeting agenda.