4.2a ERMUSR 06-04-2024Elk River��
Municipal Utilities
2024
Annual Commission
Performance Evaluation
ERMUMN.COM 1 763.441.2020 1 13069 ORONO PARKWAY I PO BOX 430 I ELK RIVER, MN 55330-0430
5 - Strongly Agree 4 - Agree 3 - Neither Agree nor Disagree 2 - Disagree 1 - Strongly Disagree
Question 1: The Commission makes
decisions in accordance with ERMU's
purpose, mission, vision, and values to
achieve desired results and collectively
supports those decisions.
Commissioner
5.00
Commissioner
5.00
Commissioner
4.00
Commissioner
4.00
Commissioner
5.00
Averacie
4.60
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
5.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Average
4.11
Overall Average
4.29
Comments:
• No commissioner comments
• From my perspective the best decisions
being made by the commission is When
the commission seeks understanding
to make an educated decision for What
is best for ERMU's employees and
customers While leaving their personal
biases out of the decision -making
process.
• There are times Where ERMU Managers
might have to rein them in. Job Well done
by all.
Question 2: The Commission partners with
the City on opportunities to bring greater
value to the community, while maintaining its
responsibility to ERMU customers as well as
its governance and conduct policies.
Commissioner
4.00
Commissioner
5.00
Commissioner
4.00
Commissioner
4.00
Commissioner
4.00
Average
4.20
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
5.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Average
4.11
Overall Average
4.14
Comments
• Are there other opportunities?
• I feel like the utility often Works closely
With the city.
• No manager comments
55
5 - Strongly Agree 4 - Agree 3 - Neither Agree nor Disagree 2 - Disagree 1 - Strongly Disagree
Question 3: Commission members are
present and engaged during official
meetings, prepared to perform their assigned
duties, participate in discussion, and make
decisions. Members also take advantage
of opportunities for continuing education,
development, and industry networking.
Commissioner
5.00
Commissioner
4.00
Commissioner
3.00
Commissioner
5.00
Commissioner
5.00
Averac
je
4.40
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
5.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Average
4.11
OveraLLAverage
4.21
Comments:
• Great group of commissioners.
• Reading the packets before the meeting is
important to be prepared for discussion.
• I think this has gotten better with the recent
interest to attend the DC trip and APPA's summer
conference.
• At times there have been instances where it
appears that not all commissioners have read the
commission packet before the meeting.
• There have been meetings where a
commissioner seems distracted with cell phone.
• It's good to see an increased interest in attending
conferences and expanding industry knowledge.
• continue doing a great job.
• Discussion during meetings shows they are
taking the time before meeting to read packet
and are informed on agenda items making for an
efficient meeting
Question 4: The Commission as a body
and its individual members never provide
direction or job performance evaluation,
either formal or informal, to any employee
other than the general manager.
Commissioner
4.00
Commissioner
4.00
Commissioner
4.00
Commissioner
4.00
Commissioner
5.00
Average
4.20
Manager
3.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
3.00
Manager
5.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Average
3.89
OveraLLAvera a
4.00
Comments
• No commissioner comments
• Never is a strong Word. Giving direction to certain
staff seems to happen from time to time but has
gotten better in the last year or two.
• Over the course of this year, the commission
has done a good job of providing feedback and
direction to managers via the General Manager.
• There have been instances where staff has been
directed to perform tasks outside providing basic
information.
• they have gotten better.
• 2023, items were run thru GM most times
56
5 - Strongly Agree 4 - Agree 3 - Neither Agree nor Disagree 2 - Disagree 1 - Strongly Disagree
Question 5: The Commission effectively
monitors organizational performance
utilizing either internal or external methods,
measuring performance against expected
outcomes and clearly defined goals.
Commissioner
5.00
Commissioner
4.00
Commissioner
4.00
Commissioner
5.00
Commissioner
5.00
Average
4.60
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
5.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
5.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Average
4.22
Overall Average
4.36
Comments:
• The monthly metrics we get are very valuable
and provides me the information I need to
evaluate the performance of the utility.
• No manager comments
Question 6: The Commission demonstrates
the ability, through governance and oversight,
to plan for immediate and future needs by
effective budgeting and planning consistent
with policy.
Commissioner
5.00
Commissioner
4.00
Commissioner
4.00
Commissioner
4.00
Commissioner
5.00
Average
4.40
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
5.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
5.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
3.00
Average
4.11
Overall Average
4.21
Comments
• No commissioner comments
• To ensure ERMU has the resources (both human
and material) to meet immediate and future
needs the commission needs to stay informed
of today's business market both private and
public awhile being flexible and adaptable in the
budgeting process.
57
5 - Strongly Agree 4 - Agree 3 - Neither Agree nor Disagree 2 - Disagree 1 - Strongly Disagree
Question 7: The Commission ensures the
protection of assets, the mitigation of risks,
and legal compliance through governance
and oversight.
Commissioner
5.00
Commissioner
4.00
Commissioner
4.00
Commissioner
4.00
Commissioner
5.00
Average
4.40
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
5.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
5.00
Manager
5.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Average
4.33
Overall Average
4.36
Comments:
• No commissioner comments
• No manager comments
Respondent Overall Average
Commissioner
4.71
Commissioner
4.29
Commissioner
3.86
Commissioner
4.29
Commissioner
4.86
Average
4.40
Manager
3.86
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.43
Manager
3.86
Manager
4.86
Manager
4.29
Manager
4.00
Manager
4.00
Manager
3.86
Average
4.13
Overall Average
4.26
m
5 - Strongly Agree 4-Agree 3 -Neither Agree nor Disagree 2-Disagree 1 -Strongly Disagree
2024 Commission Evaluation Comparison
_,SOU
WON
4.40
4.40 4.40
4.33
4.20 4.20
4.22
4.11 . 4.11 M 4.11 NJ � 4.11
3.89
Mission Focused Partners with City Prepared to Directs General Monitors Plans for the Protects Assets
Perform Manager Performance Future
■ Commissioners ■ Managers
59
Question 8: With respect to the Commission's performance, what has been done well?
• Commissioners come prepared with great questions and are not afraid to ask tough
questions.
• Worked well with staff with customer interest at heart
• For the most part, the Commissions agrees on most topics.
• The commission works swell together and we all bring a unique set of skills to the
commission.
• The commission members appear to have read the packet materials and are prepared with
questions/comments.
• The commission does a great job of participating in events that promote ERMU within the
community. In addition, to community events commission members take the extra time out
of their personal lives to attend conferences to learn more about the utility industry.
• Continued open and honest dialog/discussion on commission meeting agenda items and
being able to disagree opening on a topic/subject.
• The Commission is a strong and diverse collection of dedicated people who bring a lot of
valuable knowledge to the organization.
• All 5 have a voice and use it this time around.
• They listen to the organization and are flexible on issues if need be when it makes sense to
them. They are dedicated and involved, taking the commission appointment seriously.
• Discussions during meetings have been respectful of one another when dealing with
differing opinions.
• The commission members have good discussions before making most decisions.
• Commission has good discussions on items and keeps the best interest of the customers in
mind when making decisions
.11
Question 9: With respect to the Commission's performance, what should be done differently?
• All going great now so no changes needed.
• A bit uncomfortable with the way we determine pay increases. Feel the entire system
involving increases should be evaluated.
• I'm not aware of any problems at the commission level that need to be addressed.
• Commissioner Zerwas was a good add. He seems to have brought some energy/humor to
the commission as a governing body and as individual members.
• Allowing all commissioners the time and space to be able to express their thoughts and
ideas during discussions.
• When diverging from staff/expert proposals, ensure that staff understands the rationale
and/or quantitative basis for the alternatives proposed.
• Not necessarily different but continue to have an open ear and open mind when issues
come up. Be it rules, policy, wages, benefits or all the above.
• Define and establish both short-term and long-term goals and expectations of the
commission to provide a solid direction for the utility to prosper. Develop an overarching
vision of where the commission sees the future of ERMU.
61
Question 10: With respect to ERMU governance, what additional comments do you have?
• ERMU is a very well run company, something that most of our customers don't realize. We
are a model that other MMUA members can follow. We are well organized in all phases of
the electric and water business.
• Continual learning & education on both electric & water utilities topics.
• The management team at ERMU is absolutely incredible, it's an absolute joy to work with
Mark and his team
• Seems to be going well and getting better as they get used to the nuances associated with
a "new" GM's leadership/administrative style.
• Ensure all commission voices are heard and equal.
• Thank You for having trust in the management team.
• Continue to represent the constituents of ERMU as a trustee of utility property, ensuring that
Long-term investments made by previous governing bodies are protected for the benefit of
the public well into the future.
• Our commission does a good job monitoring high level goals and encouraging staff
initiatives to achieve results that benefit the community.
W