At the September board meeting, Dawson Public Power District directors reviewed the July financial records. Both operating expenses and revenue are below budget. Due to strong financials in earlier months, the year-to-date net margin is ahead of budgeted projections.
The process of hiring the next general manager is underway. In August, the full board met with Holmes Executive Search, LLC to outline the requirements for the position. The deadline for applications is October 11. The search company will narrow the field of candidates, creating a list of semi-finalists for Dawson PPD’s board to review. In November, the board will interview the finalists before making their selection. The new general manager will be announced in December.
The Board reviewed updates to Nebraska’s conflict of interest law and the District’s existing policies. Both provide guidelines for conducting business in an ethical and transparent manner.
Negotiations continue with Nebraska Public Power District, which wants an easement to build a 115kV power line at Dawson PPD’s Kearney office location.
During the meeting, the board also considered other topics.
- General Manager Gwen Kautz reviewed NPPD’s projected 2025 wholesale rates. While NPPD is projecting an overall net zero rate increase, changes to individual rate components could increase Dawson PPD’s annual electric costs by about half a million dollars. Wholesale power costs are part of the rate study Dawson PPD is currently conducting.
- Kautz and board president Dan Muhlbach discussed ideas for the proposed new wholesale power contract with NPPD. The District is creating a list of considerations for the new agreement.
- Rick Nelson of the Nebraska Rural Electric Association provided an overview of the organization’s benefits and dues structure. NREA provides continuing education for line workers, safety training, a monthly magazine for customers, lobbyist services and updates about regulations.
- Directors Brad Brodine and Pat Hecox attended Nebraska Public Power District’s annual meeting. Based on the presentations, Brodine believes modular nuclear generation shows great promise. Hecox reported on substantial increases in capacity requirements in the Southern Power Pool (SPP) territory. Within the past 10 years, the SPP has experienced a 10% increase in demand.
