Agenda Packets - 1984/07/23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMO TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNC FROM: CLERK -ADMINISTRATOR DATE: JULY 19, 1984 SUBJECT: SUBURBAN RATE AUTHORITY MEMBERSHIP You will note in the proposed 1985 budget that Staff recommends that the City not continue its membership in the Suburban Rate Authority beyond 1984. This recommendation is being submitted to you on the basis that membership in this organization has proved to be less than beneficial to the City of Mounds View. The basic purpose for this organization is to oversee the rate making procedures of the various utility companies within the Metropolitan Area and the Public Utilities Commission. Since joining this organization in 1982 a large number of petitions for rate changes were submitted to the Suburban Rate Authority by various utility companies, however, the participation cf the Suburban Rate Authority in the rate making process and its impact upon the results of the rate making process were less than that of other organizations active in this process due to the Suburban Rate Authority's budgetary restrictions and apparent loss of aggressiveness. An examDle of this is the last Northwestern Bell Rate Petition which was thwarted by the actions of the'Minnesota Public Interest Research Group. Staff feels that the interest of the residents of the City of Mounds View with respect to utility rates are protected by other existing private and public organizations established for purposes which allow them to intercede in utility rate cases and continuing membership in the Suburban Rate Authority would cause for the expenditure of funds which could be put to better purposes in other areas of the City's activities. RECOMMENDATION: Staff. reccinmends Council authorize the submission of a letter to the Suburban Rate Authority indicating that it is our intention to discontinue our membership with the organization at the end of calendar year 1984.