The Grays Harbor PUD Board of Commissioners will consider a resolution Monday to approve a rate increase and restructure for all PUD customers, according to a district release.

If approved, the change would complete the implementation of recommendations from a 2015 cost-of-service study by eliminating a two-tier residential rate in favor of a flat $0.085 rate. The resolution will not change the residential system charge, which will remain at $39 per month.

”We understand that many of our customers are struggling already with the current economy and financial hardships we witness on a daily basis,” said Chief Financial Officer Kathryn Skolrood. “Balancing our budget has become more and more difficult as the cost of power rises, the secondary market where we sell our surplus power has fallen, and we continue to be responsible for high-cost renewable energy contracts.”

Under the proposed flat rate, a residential customer who uses 360 kilowatt hours of energy will see their bill increase by about $11 per month, while those that use an average of 1200 kilowatt hours will see their bill increase by about $13 per month. All other rate schedules will see a 4 percent rate increase.

“Our mission is to provide high-value utility services at the lowest practical cost, and as such we continuously monitor internal costs and reduce spending wherever feasible,” said PUD General Manager Dave Ward. “Adjusting rates is the last thing we want to do, but this is the lowest practical cost we can accept without seriously impacting the service, safety and reliability we owe to our customers.”

The board will meet on Monday, March 6, at 4:30 p.m. to consider the resolution. If approved, the new rates will take effect April 1.