RPU staff present 2011 budget proposal to Board with no rate increase for electric and water utility recommended
Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) staff presented the proposed 2011 budget to the RPU Board with a recommendation of no rate increase for the electric or water utility at the RPU Board meeting on Tuesday. This marks the second straight year that RPU has held spending and recommended no rate increase for either utility.
“We have worked diligently to cut and reduce spending in order to present a budget to the Board that does not include a rate increase. We are confident that we presented a sound budget that is in the best interest of our customers,” said RPU general manager Larry Koshire.
Areas that were addressed in order to maintain a level budget for 2011 include:
– No FTE increases and unfilled positions will be evaluated and will be held open
– Reductions in facility maintenance and construction has been made
– Deferring capital projects where applicable
The RPU Board will act on the proposed electric and water budgets at a special November Board Meeting on Tuesday, November 9 at 4 p.m. at the RPU Service Center. Final budget approval will come from the Rochester City Council on November 15 at 7 p.m.
For more information on RPU, the proposed 2011 budget, please contact Tony Benson at 507-280-1534 or email at tbenson@rpu.org.
About Rochester Public Utilities
As the municipal utility of Rochester, Minn., for more than 110 years, RPU provides high-quality and reliable electricity to over 47,000 customers. Water customers number more than 36,000. RPU continually investigates innovative technologies to help customers realize the best value from the services they receive. Current initiatives include fuel cell research, wind power, and photovoltaic offerings.
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