Boulder City schedule set for utilities rate study; committee seeks extra briefings

City staff told the Boulder City Utility Advisory Committee that the city council approved a consultant for a utilities rate study and that a kickoff meeting is scheduled at the end of January. The committee pressed staff to provide early access to data and to schedule additional meetings so members can review draft analyses before the study advances.

The study and scope: A staff presenter said the consultant (FCS) will commence work after the contract is signed and that the city had already begun sending requested data. Staff clarified that electric and water will receive a full cost-of-service analysis while landfill and sewer will be evaluated without a full cost-of-service, because the latter were judged not to require the same depth of analysis.

Committee involvement and timing: Committee members asked for at least one or two extra meetings between now and July so they can examine the data and advise on rate design, conservation options and possible demand charges. One member raised a specific concern about new “peak usage” surcharge programs being discussed by other utilities and said the rate study should evaluate whether Boulder City could adopt similar designs or conservation measures.

What staff committed to do: Staff said they will hold a kickoff meeting with the consultant (targeted at the end of the month), provide interim updates, and schedule individual briefings for committee members. The appointed liaison from the committee (Larry) will participate in the kickoff and help trigger any special committee meetings as data warrants.

Next steps: Staff will confirm the kickoff date and timeline with the consultant, send committee members the study schedule, and work with the liaison to set special meetings for detailed review of draft materials during the study period.