Board proposes short‑term ECA modifications and planning for a follow‑on agreement

Board members discussed how to capture contract strategy for the Energy Cost Adjustment (ECA) in the strategic plan. Multiple board members cautioned that the ECA was just approved by council and that the word 'replacement' would be provocative; the group agreed instead to pursue contract modification in the short term and to begin planning for a follow‑on agreement in the longer term (the board noted planning around year five and a potential follow‑on by 2031).

Because of the sensitivity of a recently approved agreement, several members recommended softer phrasing: pursue contract modifications and plan for follow‑on discussions rather than immediate replacement. Board leadership asked staff to prepare redlines and then a clean copy of the revised strategic plan for the regular meeting next week. One board member remarked, “I think it's not a great word since it was just passed by council last night,” cautioning against language that could be seen as antagonistic to the newly approved agreement.