The Okanogan County Electric Cooperative (OCEC) is initiating a review of its rate structure as the current three-year rate schedule adopted in 2012 nears completion.
The electric cooperative has hired a consulting firm to develop a Cost of Services Analysis (COSA) to lay the groundwork for the upcoming rate-setting process, said David Gottula, OCEC general manager.
The COSA details the true cost of providing electricity to various classifications of users, such as residential, street lighting and irrigation. “From there we design rates,” Gottula said.
Board member Ray Peterson will take the lead on designing rates after the COSA is completed, Gottula said.
Gottula said the board hopes to have a preliminary rate proposal developed this spring, and hold a series of informational meetings for co-op members over the summer. New rates, once they are approved, will take effect Jan. 1, 2016.
The OCEC board currently has two members up for election, and both are unopposed. Paul Taylor represents District 3 and Dave Gens represents District 4.
Members can vote up until and during the co-op’s annual meeting on April 13. The meeting at The Winthrop Barn begins with registration from 6-7 p.m. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. and includes updates on OCEC’s Dark Sky initiative and propane operations.
The meeting will also include a discussion of the numerous outages during 2014 and how members can be prepared for future ones.
