Title
Approval of Changes to the Department of Public Utilities Rules & Regulations - Fee Schedule
Recommended Action
I move that the Board of Public Utilities approve the changes to the Department of Public Utilities Rules & Regulations - Fee Schedule as presented.
Utilities Manager's Recommendation
The Utilities Manager recommends that the Board approve the motion as presented
Body
Staff brought the proposed changes to the BPU for review at the May 6, 2026 work session. The Department of Public Utilities Rules and Regulations - Fee Schedule was last updated on May 7, 2025, and EV charging fees were added on December 4, 2024. A hydrant meter rental section has been added to include a monthly service fee and a consumption charge.
BPU requested that EV Charging Session Fees be reviewed every six months. The Level 2 EV chargers at the Municipal Building were installed and became operational on December 30, 2025. The free Level 2 chargers previously located at the Municipal Building have been removed.
Since the installation of the Level 2 chargers, utilization of the Level 3 charger at the Municipal Building has decreased. From July 2025 through October 2025, the Level 3 charger averaged 75 customer sessions per month. From January 2026 through March 2026, the average dropped to 54 sessions per month. In contrast, the new Level 2 chargers are averaging approximately 225 customer sessions per month. At the White Rock Visitor Center, the Level 3 charger’s utilization has remained steady, with an average of 39 customer sessions per month.
While the Level 3 EV chargers continue to operate at a financial loss, the Level 2 chargers have also begun operating at a loss since becoming operational. Therefore, staff recommends increasing the EV Charging Session Fees by 8%, consistent with the electric rate increase planned for FY2027.
Alternatives
The Board could choose to delay approval of these fee increases until next review in November
Attachments
A - Revised Fee Schedule