Related News
Related News
-
EWEB to Mitigate 2025 Rate Increases to Reduce Customer Impacts
Amid a turbulent energy landscape and rising costs, EWEB has reduced projected rate increases for electricity and water in 2025.
Find Out More -
“We're just surrounded with people who are really helpful."
Michele Victor lost her home, septic system, and two cats to the fire. But thanks to EWEB's Septic System Repair and Replacement Grants, she is one step closer to rebuilding her home.
Find Out More -
EWEB Partners with the City and YMCA to Celebrate New Amazon Park Emergency Water Station Site
Hundreds of attendees practiced filling up water containers at Saturday's demonstration event.
Find Out More -
Salmon Watch program introduces next generation to their natural heritage on McKenzie River
It takes a village of watershed councils, teachers, and volunteers to bring hundreds of students to the water's edge to participate in their natural heritage.
Find Out More -
Source Water Protection Week: Our Commitment to Clean Water
EWEB celebrates our community's commitment to protecting the McKenzie River, the source of Eugene's drinking water.
Find Out More -
EWEB Communications Team Wins Top Awards at Northwest Innovations in Communications Conference
Competing against public utilities from across the region, EWEB brought home two significant awards in recognition of our work to engage and inform the community.
Find Out More -
September is National Preparedness Month: 3 tips to prepare your home & family
Let's "Be Ready" together!
Find Out More -
EWEB invests in preparedness for severe weather and natural disasters
Just as you take steps to safeguard your home and family, EWEB is investing in equipment and processes to ensure our community’s electric and water systems remain reliable in the face of adversity.
Find Out More -
EWEB customers achieve remarkable results in environmental stewardship through EWEB's Lead Green programs
Subscribers of EWEB's Lead Green programs helped reduce carbon emissions in 2023 by 730 metric tons of CO2e.
Find Out More -
EWEB, SUB and RWD join forces at Lane County Fair to distribute water to fairgoers
The Eugene Water & Electric Board, Springfield Utility Board and Rainbow Water District are teaming up for the 9th year to provide fairgoers with clean, cold free water.
Find Out More -
EWEB explores rate increases to cover rising costs and to modernize infrastructure
Amid rising inflation and other challenges, rate increases are necessary to maintain reliable utility services and fund critical investments in Eugene’s water and electric infrastructure.
Find Out More -
Community members can test out climate-friendly e-bikes at E-Bike Expo on Saturday
EWEB encourages Eugene residents to ride into summer on clean, accessible e-bikes, with a $300 e-bike rebate.
Find Out More -
EWEB Hosts Dinner to Appreciate Customers of the McKenzie River Valley
EWEB hosted a customer appreciation dinner at the Walterville Community Center on Thursday, May 23, in place of its yearly upriver Board meeting. The event allowed customers, EWEB Commissioners, and staff to share a meal and openly discuss topics most relevant to the McKenzie Valley community.
Find Out More -
EWEB bids a fond farewell to College Hill Reservoir and prepares for modern drinking water storage tanks
Several hundred Eugene residents came together on May 30 for a Farewell Celebration at EWEB’s College Hill Reservoir before demolition and construction to build modern drinking water storage tanks begins later this year.
Find Out More -
EWEB opens application for 2024 Electric Mobility Community Grants
Grant awards of up to $30,000 to cover costs associated with electric mobility projects.
Find Out More - Show More
April 4 Board Meeting Report
April 18, 2023 • Rachael McDonald, EWEB Communications
PUBLIC INPUT
Public participation is a hallmark of community-owned utilities. We value your comments and provide time at each Board meeting for you to address your elected Commissioners. At the April 4, 2023 Board meeting, one customer provided comments about EWEB’s water storage improvement project near E. 40th Ave. A second customer commented on EWEB's Integrated Resource Plan.
TOPICS & DECISIONS:
2022 Audit Results of EWEB Financial statement
EWEB’s independent auditors, Moss Adams, reviewed their findings for the 2022 financial statement. The result was no findings of any concern.
City of Eugene Liaison agenda
The Board discussed topics it might want to collaborate on with the city of Eugene. Ideas included improving access to electric vehicle chargers in the city.
Prefunding / Funding options for Leaburg Hydroelectric project
EWEB staff sought Board guidance as the utility plans to fund decommissioning of the Leaburg Dam and Hydroelectric Project. The goal is to balance affordability and costs and maintain flexibility for the future. The total cost is estimated at $225 million over 10 years. But if EWEB needs to take on debt, that cost will be higher because of interest payments. Commissioners agreed they want to seek ways to prefund the project to avoid some debt and minimize costs for EWEB customers. Staff said it will bring a funding recommendation back to the Board, along with an explanation of the process.
2022 State of the Watershed Report:
EWEB staff presented the 2022 State of the Watershed report to the Board. Water quality in the McKenzie River remains excellent. Among the highlights of the report were the launch of EWEB’s septic grant program for McKenzie Valley landowners impacted by the Holiday Farm Fire, continued monitoring of the McKenzie and continued restoration work to protect the watershed. In 2022, EWEB and partners conducted a spill drill on the Willamette River.
General Manager’s Annual Performance Evaluation and Merit Discussion
The Board agreed with the recommended 2.8% merit raise for General Manager Frank Lawson. He will have the option to take it as a lump sum or as vacation time. Board members pointed to Lawson’s major successes over the last year, including the decision to decommission the Leaburg Hydroelectric Project and the sale of the former headquarters building to the City of Eugene.
NOTABLE QUOTES:
General Manager Frank Lawson, on prefunding the Leaburg project: “We talk a lot in this room about resiliency. Financial resiliency is also important. There could be a number of things that happen here. Costs could go up. The schedule could change. One of the big considerations is which of these options provide the best financial resiliency for whatever Board is making these decisions in the 2030s.”
Commissioner John Barofsky on prefunding the Leaburg project: “This is a bill we have to pay. We know we have to pay it. Do we put it on our credit card or do we take a little money out of our paycheck each week? Biting the bullet early is the best way.”
Commissioner Matt McRae on the State of the Watershed report: “We have the best water in the world, and I am so grateful for it. And (I’m) grateful for the work this utility does to protect our water quality and the watershed.”
Chief Operating Officer Karen Kelley summing up the State of the Watershed report: “This is unusual to invest in our source, in this way, for a utility. You can see, year over year, we’re keeping an eye on this, we’re responding appropriately, we’re preventing things, all for the health of our customers. One of the main reasons we need a second (drinking water) source is to deal with outfalls that we have no control over. Because we do not own this watershed and we rely on our partnerships to make sure our water is safe.”
General Manager Lawson during his performance evaluation: “I’m incredibly blessed to work in this organization with the people that I do. That includes the Board and staff. This is a really classy organization. Your leadership is a part of that. I really appreciate the efforts and relationships we have here. There’s a lot more work to come. We’ve got an endless supply of challenges and opportunities and I look forward to working with you.”
NEXT BOARD MEETING
The next EWEB Board of Commissioners meeting is May 2, 2023. You can find agendas, information on how to submit public comment and watch previous board meetings at eweb.org/board