Chelan County PUD is proposing laying off four of the 11 full time fiber network staff and increasing wholesale rates to establish a fiber optics program that pays for itself.

 

Interim Director of  Fiber Optics, Chris Church, told KOZI in an interview this week that the recommendation reflects board direction.

 

The changes are part of a new PUD fiber policy that forgives the network’s $99 million in internal debt, but also requires network revenues to fund all expansion with no help from PUD reserves.

 

Commissioners will further discuss and possibly vote on new pricing at a special meeting June 13. If the recommendation is approved, the four layoffs would take effect on August 1st. The proposed 9%  wholesale fiber rate increase would also be effective in August. That translates to an increase to each fiber-using household of about $2.70 per month.

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