UAC forms FY27 budget subcommittee to review electric and water affordability forecasts

The Utilities Advisory Commission on Dec. 3 voted to form a temporary FY27 budget subcommittee to take a deeper look at the FY‑27 financial plan and five‑year forecasts for the electric and water utilities with a focus on affordability.

Chair Scharf nominated Commissioners Phillips and Tooker to serve on the ad‑hoc subcommittee for the period from Dec. 3, 2025 through June 3, 2026. The motion was seconded, a roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried by recorded vote with five commissioners voting in favor and two absent.

Commissioners and staff said a small subcommittee would allow more detailed, iterative work with staff where topics require extra time and back‑and‑forth; staff cautioned that expanding the subcommittee to cover all utilities would impose a larger workload. The subcommittee’s initial scope was set narrowly to the electric and water utilities’ affordability and forecasts, though commissioners left open modest expansion if workload and staff capacity allow.

What happens next: The subcommittee will meet with staff to review model inputs, assumptions, and potential administrative opportunities to limit future rate increases; any recommendations will be reported back to the full commission and, if appropriate, referred to the City Council and finance committee for action.

Quote: "We need a focused group to drill into complicated forecasting assumptions and options for managing affordability," Chair Scharf said during the meeting.

Vote: motion carried 5‑0 (two commissioners absent).