Chehalis, WA – The Lewis County PUD (PUD) Board of Commissioners reconfirmed the budget for 2024 with no rate increases on Tuesday, November 21 at their regular meeting.
This will be the second consecutive year without an increase in rates.
“When we talk to our rate payers, keeping rates low is always a top priority,” said Commission President Ed Rothlin. “With all the costs around us going up, we are pleased that we are able to keep ours steady.”
“Since I was elected it has been my goal to keep rates low and I am proud that we have accomplished that,” said PUD Commissioner Michael Kelly. “We know how much it means to our rate payers that our service is not only safe and reliable, but affordable as well.”
“I am glad that we can do our part to keep the pressures of the rising costs away from our community,” said PUD Commissioner Mike Hadaller. “We are doing our best to serve our neighbors and this is a great way to accomplish that.”
General Manager David Plotz cited lean, efficient work and reprioritization of capital investments within the PUD as the main reasons for the ability to avoid an increase.
“We found opportunities to cut expenses and save, but inflation pressure continues,” said Plotz. “When increases are needed, our goal is to have them be small and gradual rather than steep spikes.”
About Lewis County Public Utility District
Lewis County PUD is a community-owned, locally governed utility providing power services and telecommunications infrastructure to approximately 35,000 customers throughout most of Lewis County and adjacent communities.
###