2018-08-20 Meeting to discuss Tacoma PowerMeeting to discuss Tacoma Power
August 20, 2018
3:37 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Erik Martin, Becky Butler, Dianne Dorey, Rep. Ed
Orcutt, Laura Berg, Ross Petersen, Commissioner Stamper
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Assessor Dianne Dorey said there is a 20,000-acre difference
between what Tacoma Power has in the lake and what it has
taken off the county tax rolls. She said Tacoma Power has
taken 35,000 acres off the county’s tax rolls, taking roughly
$7.7 million out of the county’s tax base, essentially shifting
that tax responsibility to others throughout the county.
Ross Petersen said the county doesn’t have a PILT agreement
with Tacoma Power, rather it has based its payment off of a
Portland CPI. He said the Portland CPI has since expired. He
said the payment is inadequate based on land values.
The group clarified that Tacoma Power has been paying
roughly $1 million for property that would have brought in
more than $7 million.
Ross said there is no agreed-upon basis for the increase
moving forward since the CPI no longer exists.
Becky Butler left at 3:48 p.m.
Ross discussed the seismic issues regarding the dam.
Becky returned at 3:54 p.m.
Ross and Dianne discussed how Tacoma Power mitigates land.
Rep. Orcutt recommended asking how much land is set aside in the other jurisdictions.
Dianne said it would be good to ask when Tacoma Power last mitigated in other counties and how much
acreage has been mitigated in other counties with reservoirs.
Laura Berg discussed Pend Oreille County’s work with Seattle City Light. She said the 10-year contract
was up in 2009. She said the lawmakers changed the RCW to say the utility could not withhold payments
as renegotiations took place. She said they also changed the language to reflect that the utility would
pay for arbitration. However, she said, the new verbiage doesn’t apply to Lewis County because it’s
based on population.
TO-DO LIST / RECAP
Rodney Reynolds: Determine
what payments have been made
and what should have been (and
what Tacoma Power owes)
Ross: Determine how much
acreage has been mitigated in
other counties with Tacoma
Power dams (and when) to
determine whether it’s a
disproportionate amount for
Lewis County
Rep. Orcutt: Look into RCW’s
verbiage about population
Ross: Check into forest excise
tax
Ross: Review Seattle’s CPI
Commissioner Stamper said he has reached out to area fire districts and the EDC.
Commissioner Fund said she has reached out to Eric Johnson and Dave Schilperoort.
Dianne discussed the need for a rainy day fund for a potential dam breach.
Commissioner Jackson left at 4:25 p.m.
Ross said the seismic fitting project may not take place.
Commissioner Jackson returned at 4:28 p.m.
Erik Martin left at 4:30 p.m.
Becky said Tacoma Power submits its payments at the end of every quarter, beginning with the first of
April.
Erik returned at 4:33 p.m.
The group discussed the FERC requirements. However, the responsibility was then placed the county to
spearhead the efforts in the county’s agreements.
Commissioner Stamper left at 4:40 p.m.
Rep. Orcutt suggested reaching out to Rep. DeBolt. Instead of a CPI, Rep. Orcutt discussed tying the rate
to the retail value to capture the inflationary factor.
Meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.