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Welcome to the Asotin County
Public Utility District web site!
We are a customer-owned water, electric and sewer utility. We've been providing reliable service at the lowest cost possible to the residents of Asotin County for over 23 years. Thank you for visiting!
An Open House will be held to celebrate the retirement of our Revenue Bond on Tuesday, January 31st from 1:30 to 3:30 pm at the PUD office located at 1500 Scenic Way
Join the PUD Board of Commissioners and staff as we celebrate the payoff of the Revenue Bond used for purchasing the water system and starting our operations in 1987
A Ceremonial Bond-Burning will take place at 2:30 pm
Refreshments and cake will be served
PUD Pays off Water Revenue Bond
The Asotin County Public Utility District is celebrating the final payment of the Water Revenue Bond which was secured to purchase the water system that serves the city of Clarkston and the more densely populated unincorporated areas of Asotin County after the PUDs formation in November 1984. The original bond was secured for $8.47 million. The PUD refinanced the bond in 1993 and again in 2003 to take advantage of lower interest rates. Tim Simpson, General Manager stated: “Due to the retirement of the bond and through the fiscally responsible and conservative oversight of the PUD by the Board of Commissioners we have very little debt, an adequate reserve and are in a position to keep water rates at their current level for several years.”
The Asotin County PUD was formed by a group of concerned citizens in 1984 after General Water Corporation, who bought the system from the Washington Water Power Company (now Avista), began to increase rates significantly. There were four attempts to form a Public Utility District; in 1960, 1966, 1980, and finally success in 1984. Oliver Rousseau was one of several citizens who’s tireless effort was instrumental in forming the PUD.
After formation of the PUD the original Board of Commissioners, Gary Hicks, Joe Silvestri and Tony Flerchinger along with Counsel Scott Broyles filed papers to take over the water system from General Water Corporation. Due to a difference in opinion on the value of the system, the issue went to court for resolution. After 2 years of deliberation and a final settlement the Asotin County PUD took over operations on April 1, 1987. Gary Hicks continues to serve as Commissioner and Scott Broyles continues to serve as the PUD’s Counsel. Since its formation the PUD has added electric and wastewater services..
“It is a thrill for me to still be on the Board at the time when the final payment was made on the revenue bond” stated Gary Hicks a 27 year member of the PUD Board of Commissioners. “It is a fulfillment of the commitment we made to our community when the PUD was formed. When voters approved the formation of the PUD their specific direction was to stabilize the rates. Customers wanted to establish local control in order to stabilize the water system rates. We are proud of the fact that we have been able to continue to provide excellent service while keeping rates reasonable and stable.”
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