Retail electric sales for the Okanogan County PUD has been down in early 2020, but broadband had the highest billing month ever in March.

For January and February combined, the district sold $1.1 million less in retail sales than budgeted, due to the milder temperatures this winter, according to Director of Power Resources and Broadband Services Ron Gadeberg. Some of that excess power was then sold on the wholesale market, which is $352,219 ahead of budget so far for the year.

Broadband sales had already been increasing month-to-month, but Gadeberg said the bandwidth increased from about 3.5 gigabits per second of traffic on the system to 5 Gb/s in less than a week’s time when the stay at home orders began. Retail providers continue to add new customers, so that the district now has 3,143 end users.

In other business, the board:

• Heard from General Manager Steve Taylor that 158 accounts are delinquent currently, with a total of $33,610. Customers are encouraged to contact the district with any concerns about billing, to work out payment arrangements and waive late fees. The district continues to explore work schedules and how to serve all essential services while maintaining state “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” mandates.
• Approved Resolution 1717, a surplus of 51 failed Motorola access points from the telecom department. Gadeberg said they will all be disposed of.
• Heard from Treasurer Rob Gillespie that there was an increase of about $1.2 million in unrestricted funds in March, due to a payment from BPA and other factors.