Utilities rate advisory commission forwards 2025 report, elects Tiffany Tran chair

The Utilities Rate Advisory Commission voted Jan. 28 to approve its 2025 annual report and the commission’s 2026 work plan and to forward both documents to the Personnel & Public Employees committee for consideration. Commissioner Olsen made the motion to approve the report and work plan; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote with all present voting aye and Vice Chair Spencer Eberly absent.

The report, which staff said summarizes the commission’s role, 2025 accomplishments and a meeting calendar for 2026, will guide the commission’s involvement in the department’s upcoming water and wastewater rate development process. Staff told commissioners that the commission will review strategic stakeholder outreach in March and return with recommended financial plans and proposed rates in June as part of the FY28 rate development timeline.

In officer elections held immediately afterward, commissioners nominated Tiffany Tran for chair and Commissioner Nelson for vice chair. Both nominations were approved by roll call; the clerk’s office noted the new officers will begin their terms at the next regular meeting. The clerk also recorded that there was no public comment on either agenda item.

Commissioners framed the vote around the commission’s duty to provide input to the Personnel & Public Employees committee and the city council, and several members thanked staff for compiling the report and work plan. The commission’s approval formally advances the document to the next stage of review but does not itself change rates; rate proposals and any subsequent city council action will be separate processes.

The commission meets again in March, when staff has said it will present outreach plans tied to the FY28 rate development schedule.