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Committee debates scope and engagement for upcoming utilities rate study; appoints representative to selection panel
Summary
Members urged clearer project objectives in the draft RFP, minimum UAC engagement, review of existing rate structures and fixed charges, and a more usable rate model; the committee unanimously appointed Chair Larry Carr to the rate-study consultant selection panel.
Staff presented a draft request for proposals for a utilities rate study, built from the 2019 RFP, and asked the committee for feedback on scope, objectives and stakeholder engagement. Joe (staff) described the draft scope and the seven phases of work, starting with project initiation and ending with a final deliverable.
Committee members pressed for more explicit, contract-level language about project objectives (to avoid the 2019 dispute about unclear objectives); Josh observed that phase 7 (final deliverables) represents the overall objective but agreed committee input should be clear at kickoff. Chair Larry Carr recommended that the UAC be guaranteed a minimum level of engagement; he suggested a minimum of three formal touchpoints (kickoff, draft review, pre-final or final review). “I would say minimum of 3 because you'd want the kickoff, you'd want the draft… and then the final,” Carr said.
Members also asked that the RFP explicitly require the consultant to review existing rates and rate resolutions, evaluate fixed/customer charges across utilities, and provide both a fully operational, auditable rate model and a simplified, user-friendly summary (an executive summary or condensed dashboard) with documentation and training. Staff agreed to add language clarifying stakeholder engagement and to consider bullets adding review of existing rate structure and fixed charges.
For procurement, the committee was asked to nominate one member to sit on the finance-led consultant selection panel. Committee member Ken moved that Larry Carr serve; the motion passed unanimously with Carr abstaining from opposing votes. Carr will represent the UAC during the broader selection-panel evaluation process run by purchasing and finance.
