Laura Farthing

The meeting commenced with logistics and safety briefings. Key discussions during board member items included an upcoming fundraising dinner for Senior Meals on Wheels and a tour of the College Hill water storage facility, highlighting staff's excellent community relations work. Commissioner comments also addressed federal lobbying efforts concerning BPA administrator knowledge, concerns over efforts to privatize Bonavville, and the cost allocation structure of the WAMIT system. Furthermore, there were discussions regarding a court ruling to increase water spill rates and planned flow fluctuations on the McKenzie River for salmon flushing. The correspondence section focused on a legislative update. Public input centered heavily on Measure 20-373, with proponents arguing for its passage to protect watersheds and opponents, specifically Commissioner Baroski, facing scrutiny over undisclosed financial ties to opponents of the measure.

The meeting included discussions on meeting logistics, facility and safety awareness procedures, and the public input code of conduct. Key agenda items covered correspondence, specifically a State Legislative Update detailing the status of various bills such as HB 4029 and HB 4046. The board also addressed the Resolution No. 2607 regarding the Watershed Bill of Rights and Lane County Measure 20-373. Significant business included the approval of Consent Calendars A and B, and an increase to the contract for design services with Jacobs dba CH2M Hill for Carmen-Smith Engineering Services. The board reviewed the State of the Utility & 2025 Operating Results, covering financial performance, safety/wellness metrics, reliability statistics, workforce updates, and community impact. Furthermore, progress on strategic goals, including the EWEB Business Management System, outage prevention, Advanced Metering Deployment, and infrastructure resiliency projects, was reviewed. Significant Commissioner/Board directions included the Bonneville Power Administration 2028-2044 Provider of Choice Contract and the oversight/approval of the $400.7 Million Electric and $86.6 Water Budgets.

This document outlines EWEB's Business Management System (EBMS) and Strategic Compass, serving as a framework for prioritizing work and achieving organizational excellence and sustainable results. Built on organizational values, community engagement, and compliance, the system focuses on three pillars: workforce development, a culture of continuous improvement, and the Strategic Compass. The Strategic Compass aligns EWEB's mission, vision, values, strategic business priorities (Maintain/Improve Business Operations, Optimize Energy Delivery, Improve Resiliency), 5-year themes, and annual goals. The plan aims to continuously provide value, improve performance, foster internal and external confidence and trust, enhance interdivisional cooperation, engage employees, and demonstrate transparency and accountability.

The primary business item for the special meeting was the consideration of Resolution No. 2610, pertaining to the Offer of Employment to the New General Manager. The resolution addressed the tentative terms of the employment contract for the applicant, John Hairston, including compensation levels previously approved in October 2025, and confirmed that background check requirements had been satisfied. The Board unanimously approved the resolution, finalizing the employment agreement for John L. Hairston, Jr. and authorizing the Board President to execute the agreement.

This document serves as a strategic and operational quarterly and year-end report for 2025, detailing progress toward the long-term goals outlined in Eugene Water & Electric Board's 2018-2028 Strategic Plan. Key strategic priorities include implementing a robust Business Management System, ensuring fiscal responsibility to manage rate increases, enhancing reliability and communication for electric and water services, and advancing critical infrastructure projects such as the second drinking water source and College Hill Reservoir. The plan also focuses on optimizing energy resource management, expanding advanced metering infrastructure, improving support for vulnerable customer segments, strengthening workforce resiliency and cybersecurity, and strategically addressing the future of service territories, all aimed at driving transformational change and ensuring sustainable utility operations.