EPHRATA -- The Grant County PUD will cut $28 million from its budget this year as low river flows continue to wither its projected revenues.
PUD spokeswoman Sarah Morford said Wednesday that cuts to this year's nearly $519 million budget are in addition to last year's budget shortfall of $23 million.
Next year's budget will have built-in expense cuts to reduce that need for budget cuts at mid-year, a utility official said.
Management already has capped spending next year at about $490 million.
WSU Extension plans grape group breakfast
Washington State University Benton County Extension will be holding its monthly Grape Fieldman's breakfast Aug. 5 for anyone who works with juice or wine grapes.
The breakfast will at The Barn Restaurant, 490 Wine Country Road, Prosser, beginning at 7:15 a.m. with a roundtable discussion. For more information, call 786-5609.
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Benton PUD raises power rates 6 percent
Benton PUD raises power rates 6 percent
Power rates for Benton Public Utility District customers will increase an average of 6 percent starting Jan. 1.
On Tuesday, the PUD commission approved the increase, which includes a 5.4 percent bump for residential customers.
The average home bill will increase from about $101 a month to $106.
Richland School Board approves $102M budget
Richland School Board approves $102M budget
The Richland School Board on Tuesday unanimously voted in favor of the $102 million budget proposed by administrators for the 2011-12 school year.
The vote was 4-0, said Rich Puryear, director of financial services. Board member Rick Donahoe was held up at work and could not make it to the board meeting on time.
Under the now-approved budget, Richland schools will offer the same range of programs and classes as it had previously, despite painful cuts in state and federal money.
Hanford contractor says 70 volunteer for layoffs
Hanford contractor says 70 volunteer for layoffs
Washington River Protection Solutions agreed to voluntary layoffs for all 70 workers who applied for them, the Hanford contractor announced Tuesday.
The layoffs include 44 nonunion employees and 26 union employees.
They will ease some of the pain for the additional layoffs the tank farm contractor is anticipating. It is preparing to cut up to 475 jobs by Oct. 13 under a worst-case fiscal 2012 budget scenario.
Benton Franklin Health Board able to keep jobs intact with '12 budget
Benton Franklin Health Board able to keep jobs intact with '12 budget
The Benton Franklin Health Board adopted a balanced budget this week that avoids layoffs and allows employees a 2 percent cost-of-living raise in 2012.
The budget also resolves a question raised in November whether Benton and Franklin counties base their contributions to the district's operations on their respective populations or a straight percentage.
The issue emerged when Franklin County said it would contribute almost $30,000 less in 2012 than it did in 2011 because it calculated a pro-rated share based on population.
Ben Franklin Transit officials trying to hold line on spending
Ben Franklin Transit officials trying to hold line on spending
There are no plans in the Ben Franklin Transit 2012 budget to lay off workers, eliminate routes or cut services.
The budget as written also does not propose raising fares, but transit officials said that might be considered in 2012.
Instead, transit staff are trying to keep close to current 2011 spending, said Kathy McMullen, Benton Franklin Transit service development manager.
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