Update: MID rejects candidate’s request for delay on 10% power rate hike hearing
The Modesto Irrigation District should wait for its new board to be seated before voting on a possible 10% hike in power rates, one candidate said Wednesday.
Janice Keating, the leading vote-getter so far in Division 2, made the request in an email to the current board and The Modesto Bee. She urged that the Nov. 15 rate hearing by postponed until after the new board members take office in early December.
An MID spokesperson responded that the hearing will happen as planned because the district needs to prepare for the expected income starting Jan. 1.
Under the proposal, residential rates would rise 6.9% on Jan. 1, 2023, and another 2.7% a year later. Increases also would happen for business customers and for electricity used to pump farm wells.
Tuesday’s ballot had three contests for the five-member board.
Keating led Frank Damrell in Division 2, representing central Modesto, with 53.3% of the votes as of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. Incumbent John Mensinger did not seek reelection to the five-member board.
Keating’s request said in part, “With at least two and possibly three new members set to join the board when the current election is completed, it is critical that the new representatives be given adequate time to study the issues, familiarize themselves with the process of adjusting rates and explore options that don’t increase costs for struggling ratepayers.”
In Division 3, the northeast part of MID, Robert Frobose received 54.9% of the votes against Nick Dokoozlian. Incumbent Paul Campbell is not running. The apparent winner could not be reached for comment Wednesday on Keating’s suggestion.
In Division 4, the northwest, John Boer had 52% of the votes to 37.7% for incumbent Stu Gilman and 10.2% for Brad Johnson. Boer said by phone that he would consider joining Keating’s request after reading the consultant study on the rate proposal.
The Stanislaus County Election Office continues to count mail and other ballots, which can be received until Nov. 15 under state law. The new MID board members will take office after the results are certified in early December.
The MID staff proposed the increase over two years to deal with rising costs, notably the natural gas that generates much of its electricity. The issue also is tied up in a long-running controversy over whether power customers are subsidizing farm water users. The district is appealing a 2020 ruling in Stanislaus County Superior Court that the subsidy was improper.
Melissa Williams, public affairs manager at MID, said Wednesday that the board has discussed the 2023 budget in public meetings since August.
“Not providing the revenues to cover our projected expenses would put the district’s financial health at risk and hinder our ability to carry out necessary projects and initiatives, ultimately impacting the reliability of the services MID provides and our customers count on,” she said.
Williams added that the Nov. 15 hearing will have even more information. “This an opportunity for customers, current and future directors to provide input on the rates proposal. Comments and questions are also welcomed prior to the hearing.”
It will start 9 a.m. at the MID headquarters, 1231 11th St., Modesto. Instructions on how to comment by phone or Zoom are at www.mid.org.
This story was originally published November 9, 2022 at 4:18 PM.
