5.1 ERMUSR 01-11-2022UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:FROM:
ERMU Commission Melissa Karpinski –Finance Manager
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
January 11, 2022 5.1
SUBJECT:
Amended 2022 Annual Business Plan (Budget, Schedule of Rates & Fees)
ACTION REQUESTED:
Adopt the Amended 2022 Annual Business Plan
BACKGROUND:
At the December 14, 2021, commission meeting, the 2022 Annual Business Plan was adopted
bythe commission. Minnesota Municipal Power Agency presented their final budget at the end
of December, with rates lower than previously communicated. With this there have been some
changes to power costs and rates. The final highlights are discussed below.
DISCUSSION:
Electric Budget and Rates
In December, a 5% rate increase for 2022 was adopted. We are proposing to reduce this to
havea 3% rate increase for 2022.
Notable items in the electric budget for 2022 are:
3% wage adjustment for Office, Field, and Management pay plan groups and a 2.8%
wage adjustment for Line Worker pay plan group.
Conservative estimate for usage and growth.
6% wholesale power rate increase.
Interest expense on bond for new field services building.
Administrative expenses for InventoryAssistant and new General Managerpositionsto
be filled in 2022.
Administrativeexpense for Travel and Training; additional leadership training (all
departments as identified in organizational effectiveness survey)and management
training (includes strategic planning).
Replacement of Bucket Truck #4.
Replacement of Dump Truck #7.
Purchase of a Bobcat, forklift, and sweeper.
Shared cost in the replacement of Vehicle #1 for Administration and Pickup Truck #2 for
Technical Services.
Electric Service Territory acquisition loss of revenue for Areas 1&2, 3&4, 5&6, and 7&8
from reserves.
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Highway 169 Redefine project from reserves.
Highway 10 Substation Design and Construction from reserves.
Advance Metering Infrastructure (AMI) projectfrom reserves.
Water Budget and Rates
As previously adopted, we are proposing a 2.5% rate increase for 2022.
Notable items in the water budgetfor 2022 are:
3%wage adjustment for Office, Field, and Management pay plan groups.
Conservative estimate for usage and growth.
Interest expense on bond for new field services building.
Administrative expenses for new General Manager position tobe filled in 2022.
Administrative expense due to Wellhead Protection Plan amendment.
Administrative expense for Travel and Training; additional leadership training (all
departments as identified in organizational effectiveness survey) and management
training (includes strategic planning).
Replacement of Pickup Truck #32.
Highway 169 Redefine project from reserves.
Shared cost in the replacement of Vehicle #1 for Administration and Pickup Truck #2 for
Technical Services.
AMI project.
Submitted for approval is the amended 2022 Annual Business Plan which includes the 2022
Amended Budget and the 2022 Amended Schedule of Rates & Fees. The adoption of the 2022
Amended Scheduleof Rates& Fees through the adoption of the Amended Annual Business Plan
shall supersede and replace all previously adopted tariffs, rates, and fees.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Notable items discussed above. As alsodiscussed above, we are proposing a rate increase of 3%
for electricand 2.5% for water.
ATTACHMENTS:
Proposed Amended 2022 Annual Business Plan
o 2022 Amended Budget
o 2022 Amended Schedule of Rates & Fees
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