For More Information Contact:
Lance Robertson, 984-4716
Eugene Water & Electric Board

Nov. 19 , 2007

Commissioners to hold 2008 budget hearings

The Eugene Water & Electric Board of Commissioners will conduct public hearings on Nov. 20 and Dec. 4 to gather citizen comments about the utility’s proposed 2008 budget.

EWEB staff is proposing a combined electric, water and steam utility budget of $293.8 million for 2008. The budget is based on an assumption that electric rates will increase 1.9 percent and water rates will increase about 20 percent in the spring of 2008.

Most of the water rate increase would be used to increase capital spending to upgrade the utility’s aging water system, while the electric rate increase would primarily pay for increased general operational costs.

The budget hearings will be held in the Board Room of the North Building at EWEB, 500 E. Fourth Ave. The Nov. 20 public hearing will begin after the start of the board’s 7 p.m. regular meeting; the second hearing will held during the board’s Dec. 4 meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. The board is expected to approve a 2008 budget following the Dec. 4 hearing.

Any rate increases would have to be approved by the Board of Commissioners in a separate vote, following public hearings next year.