More than 1,700 residents help shape Chelan County PUD' 50-year vision

WENATCHEE, — Chelan County Public Utility District commissioners have completed a year-long strategic planning initiative aimed at guiding the utility through 2075, with officials highlighting strong community participation in the process.

The "Imagine 2075" plan, reviewed by commissioners on Monday, establishes a new mission to "Provide essential services to empower the community" and envisions creating "bold, enduring value for future generations."

"It is a commitment to our future generations," said board president Steve McKenna. "It's really important how we use these words and this work honors the past. By embracing this vision, we reaffirm our commitment to being good ancestors and ensuring a sustainable, thriving future."

The strategic document outlines nine long-range goals focusing on energy sustainability, infrastructure resilience, and community engagement. Key objectives include ensuring stable energy rates while preserving local control, expanding the utility's energy portfolio, and strengthening essential services against severe weather and cyber threats.

Community leader Gene Sharratt praised the planning process at the board meeting, stating, "I've been involved in a lot of strategic planning processes over the course of my career, and I think this is one of best I've ever seen, particularly with community engagement and community involvement. I felt from the onset that your direction was sincere, it was clear, and it was concise."

The development process involved more than 150 staff members and 50 community partners who identified critical trends and challenges for the next five decades. Employee teams developed four scenario-based future stories, which informed the final goals. More than 1,700 customer-owners participated in a survey to prioritize these objectives.

General Manager Kirk Hudson emphasized that implementing the vision will require significant organizational changes. "It's one thing to have a vision, it's another thing to implement it," Hudson said. "I want to make sure there's a clear understanding, it's not going to be business as usual. There will be a transformation that occurs within the organization."

The utility will develop a strategic plan with measurable goals and timelines in 2025 to implement the vision. The draft plan received approximately two dozen public comments through an online survey over a three-week period.