Dawson Public Power District, Courtesy
LEXINGTON — Current and future finances were discussed at Dawson Public Power District’s board meeting on November 6.
General Manager Gwen Kautz reviewed the September reports. Total operating costs are under budget and 1% less than last year. In September $249,000 was added to the net plant value. So far in 2024, 116 new services have been built.
The board reviewed the 2025 budget and approved it unanimously.
The new budget includes $53 million in operating expenses, which is about $3 million more than the annual projections for 2024. The biggest expenditure is wholesale power, projected to cost the district about $36.9 million. This is about $2 million more than 2024.
In the proposed budget, the district will continue to meet or exceed financial standards for debt service coverage and equity as a percentage of assets.
The new work plan includes $4.9 million in system upgrades, including work on aging power lines, the sub-transmission system and site-specific improvements for reliability and increased capacity to meet customer needs. There is an additional $2.73 million of partially completed projects that will carry over from 2024.
The board limited the meeting agenda so that they could review applications for the general manager position during an executive session.
Board members will conduct interviews later in November. All applications are confidential. The board expects to name a new general manager in December.
