Board of Public Works endorses cost-of-service recommendations for city utilities; staff to include changes in 2026 budget

Members of the Board of Public Works told the City Council on April 28 that the board has reviewed a cost-of-service study covering water, wastewater and electric utilities and intends to adopt its recommendations for the 2026 budget.

The board’s chair, Liam Mathers, and board members Jeremy Goldforth, Ted Dahl and Dawn Anderson were acknowledged during the council meeting. According to the board update, the board met 11 times this year, approved 26 resolutions involving engineering task orders, supplies and equipment repair, and received three presentations from consultants, vendors and developers. The board expects to finalize and approve a capital improvements plan and the 2026 budget for delivery to the council on May 21.

Public Works Director Richard Shockley and staff told council members the board approved a cost-of-service study that covered all three utilities and that it was more cost-effective to undertake the study jointly rather than separately. "They review those, and they have they have elected to adopt what was recommended in the cost of service studies for the 3 utilities for the 2026 budget," a staff presenter said during the meeting.

Councilors were told the board will present the capital improvements plan and that the recommended changes from the cost-of-service study will be reflected in the 2026 budget materials the board will forward to the council.

The item is scheduled for the board’s continued work and a council review of the budget presentation in a proposed May 27 work session; staff said more meetings can be scheduled as needed.