Mason PUD 3 released its draft 2026 budget summary of $117.3 million. The draft includes rate increases for some customer classes.
The draft also moves about $511,000 from reserves to help stabilize the budget and reduce the rate impact. Proposed rate increases would start on March 1 and would include:
- Residential: Energy rates increase by 3%, with an additional $0.10 to the system charge.
- Small Commercial: Energy rates increase by 3%, with an additional $0.10 to the system charge.
- Large Commercial: Energy rates increase by 3%, with an additional $0.10 to the system charge.
- Industrial: Energy rates increase by 6%, with an additional $0.57 to the system charge.
The largest factor for the increased budget is the overall 5.89% increase in purchased power costs. PUD 3 purchases its power from Bonneville Power Administration, which announced rate increases earlier this year.
Other drivers for needed revenue increases include needed system upgrades, such as underground system work, additional priority pole replacements, and more.
PUD 3 continues to pursue grant funding to offset the costs of critical and costly upgrades. Some grants also require matching funds from the district, which can also increase the budget.
The Low-Income Energy Assistance Surcharge is estimated to be about $4.97 per month (about 34 cents more on average per month). The surcharge pays for compliance with the Washington State Clean Energy Transformation Act legislation requiring utilities to provide energy assistance to low-income households. Low-income households and other qualifying customers are exempt from the surcharge. These funds assisted more than 3,500 Mason County households last year.
PUD 3 commissioners held a public hearing on Nov. 4 when the budget was introduced. The proposed budget can be viewed at pud3.org on the PUD Documents page. Commissioners anticipate adopting a budget at the Nov. 25 commission meeting at 10 AM at the Johns Prairie Operations Center.