6.1e3 ERMUSR 02-14-2023OUR
MISSION
To provide our customers
with safe, reliable, cost-
effective, and quality
long-term electric and
water utility services.
To communicate and
educate our customers
in the use of utility
services, programs,
policies, and future plans.
These products and
services will be provided
Exciting Transition to Start the New Year
After serving just over 18 years in various roles at Elk River
Municipal Utilities, Theresa Slominski officially retired as
General Manager on January 2, 2023. Mark Hanson has since
assumed full duties as the new GM, bringing with him 25 years
of experience as a public works professional.
Ms. Slominski worked her way through the ranks, starting as
the Payroll & Accounts Payable Clerk. She then went on to
Accounting & Office Manager, Administrations Director, and
then General Manager for the last two years of her career.
During her tenure, Theresa saw ERMU grow from roughly 20 employees to 48, move from
a three -person to a five -person Commission, transition to a new software system with NISC,
convert to advanced meter reading systems, and construct a new field services building.
We would like to thank Ms. Slominski for her long-standing service to ERMU and we wish her
well in her retirement.
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in an environmentally "l am so proud of ail the employees at ERMU. They are good, hardworking people that care about
and financially our customers! l am humbled they trusted me With the role of GM and l am very excited for Marh
responsible manner. Hanson to take the Lead. l hnow he will do great things for this organization!" - Theresa Slominski
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Rates and Operations Update
OUR
$7.47 As inflation and supply chain issues continue to impact our daily lives, it
VISION
ELECTRIC is important for our community to know that wholesale power costs are
not immune to this economic reality. Customers may have noticed Power
Provide exceptional
$0.42 Cost Adjustments (PCA) on their bill in 2022, which are a direct pass
services and value to
WATER through of price increases incurred from ERMU's power provider.
those we serve.
Monthty price increase ERMU staff has worked diligently to keep operations costs down and
for an average RESIDENTIAL customer. we continue to educate our customers on how they can lower their bills
.""""'°""'."""""""
through conservation and rebates. However, wholesale power costs
make up around 70% of ERMU's budget and have increased by 27% over the last two years.
OUR
This means that responsible budget setting requires an electric rate increase for 2023. Building
VALUES
these increases into our rates is in line with our mission statement to provide safe, reliable, and
cost-effective services for customers.
INTEGRITY
Keeping true to our core value of timely and clear communication, we are reporting that
0 QUALITY
the Commission has approved a 5% increase in electric rates and expected PCA charges
throughout 2023.
OCOMMUNICATION
The Commission also approved a 2% increase in water rates to address items such as a
OSAFETY
conservative estimate for usage and growth, system maintenance, and water quality.
ERMU remains committed to helping customers use their electricity and water efficiently.
s. COMPETITIVE
Looking to the future, we have begun the multi -year process of implementing Advanced
Metering Infrastructure (AMI). This service will provide precise, real-time data to help customers
better understand their utility usage and identify specific, measurable actions to improve that
usage. As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
��CAIT
CONTROLLING YOUR
COSTS
There is one thing every
customer can do to help
keep the utilities bill as low as
possible: Use less. In addition
to using electricity and water
wisely, efficient appliances like
those that are ENERGY STAR®
and WaterSense-ratedcan cut
down on usage for you.
ERMU also offers rebates
for a wide variety of
efficient appliances:
Visit www.ermumn.com/
programs -rebates to learn more.
�A
recycle
coach
DOWNLOAD
RECYCLE COACH
Do you find yourself always
wondering when your recycling
gets collected or what items
are recyclable? Get answers
by downloading the Recycle
Coach app today.
The Recycle Coach app is a
handy suite of tools provided
by the City of Elk River that will
make you a pro-recycler!
Field Services Project in the Home Stretch
In June of 2021, earthwork began at the site of the
new field services building near the Lake Orono Dam.
Fast forward to the fall of 2022: Crews began moving
inventory into the new facility and landscapers have
begun putting final touches on its exterior.
ERMU took advantage of what experts called a 50-year '~
low in bonding interest rates to accommodate the
much needed growth for our field operations center. The new facility will offer secure storage
for ERMU vehicles and materials, improving their longevity and reducing replacement costs.
Stay tuned for information to come about our Open House in 2023.
Please note that all customer service staff will continue to be available to assist you with
account services and in -person payments at ERMU's City Hall office.
Trimming the Trees This Season
ERMU field staff and contractors are working around the city
to trim branches near power Lines. Tree trimming benefits
your electric service by minimizing instances of branches
interfering with power Lines. Falling Limbs can also take down
energized power Lines, creating a dangerous situation. Work
is done in the winter because it is easy to see the structure of
the branches and make minimal cuts once their Leaves have
fallen. The cold temperatures also help prevent diseases and
parasites from entering freshly cut Limbs.
If you see a branch hanging near a Line, do not take the risk of trimming it yourself. Contact
ERMU to have a member of our expert staff review the situation.
ERMU Scholarship Application Now Open
ERMU has opened its annual scholarship program, conducted in
partnership with the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA).
The Tom Bovitz Memorial Scholarship Award is available to high school
seniors who are customers or have a legal guardian who is a customer
of ERMU.
Students are required to submit an entry form and an essay of 500
to 750 words, typed and double spaced, reflecting on one or more
prompts from the Tom Bovitz Scholarship Guidelines. ERMU will
award a $500 scholarship to one LOcaL winner who WILL then go on to
compete in MMUA's statewide scholarship program, where they will have a chance to win an
additional $500, $1,000, $1,500, or $2,000. A previous ERMU scholarship recipient went on to
place second in the overall competition, earning a total of $2,000!
Judges are looking for originality and the relevance of the prompts to the writer and ERMU.
For more information on the scholarship program, please visit our website. Submissions are
due by March 31, 2023.
WE WELCOME YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS: ERMUMN.COM 1 763.441.2020
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