The Okanogan County Public Utility District commissioners adopted a $50.2 million budget for 2014 at their Dec. 10 meeting.
The budget anticipates $42.5 million in revenue from retail electric sales and $2.8 million in wholesale sales, plus another $2.2 million in income from the PUD’s broadband network. Retail electric sales increased by $3.6 million from last year, and wholesale sales by almost $500,000 because the market price was higher than projected.
Expenses include almost $10.3 million in wages and benefits. Wages have increased 0.6 percent based on the current bargaining agreement, but there is no general wage increase.
The budget includes $9.4 million for the Methow Transmission Project, including $6 million for construction, $650,000 for mitigation and roads, $500,000 for easements, and another $500,000 for the Gold Creek substation. The PUD expects to spend $2 million in 2014 and reserve the balance to complete the project.
The cost of purchased power dropped by $150,000 to $23.2 million.
Expenditures also include $2 million for Enloe Dam and another $2 million for normal powerline replacements and extensions.
