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Consumer advocate asks for consultant funding and IT separation costs after audit; highlights ratepayer savings
Summary
CURB asked the committee for an increase in outside consultant funding and capital outlay to separate IT services after a legislative post-audit; the agency said its in-house work produced substantial ratepayer savings in recent big dockets but it needs consultant capacity for future cases.
The Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB) asked the committee to approve a FY27 increase in outside professional services and capital outlay to cover higher consultant market rates and costs associated with a legislative post-audit that recommended IT separation from the Kansas Corporation Commission.
Joseph Straub, CURB consumer counsel, presented performance metrics showing notable ratepayer savings from recent Evergy and Black Hills dockets and argued that in-house staff stepped up during a consultant transition last year. "We've had millions of dollars in ratepayer savings," Straub said, outlining the agency's work in KCC dockets, policy development and outreach. CURB requested a placeholder increase of $75,000 for consultant services in FY27 as it procures new contractors and anticipates higher market rates.
The post-audit recommendation to separate certain IT services from KCC means CURB needs capital outlay for servers, software licensing and migration costs, as well as subscriptions and training. Straub described the capital request as intended to defray KCC IT transition costs and to make CURB self-sufficient for security and continuity.
Why it matters: CURB represents residential and small commercial ratepayers in regulatory cases; its ability to hire expert consultants affects its capacity to challenge large utility requests and to participate effectively in technical dockets.
Next steps: CURB said it will proceed with procurement and expects to refine consultant cost needs as new contracts are executed; committee members requested details about specific capital and migration costs.
