Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board create an Ad Hoc committee to participate in discussions with other Community Choice Aggregate Joint Powers Authorities and pursue energy acquisition options in collaboration with the City of Placerville.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On October 30, 2018 the Board received a presentation from the Community & Economic Development Advisory Council (CEDAC) relative to Community Choice Aggregate energy alternatives and directed staff to contact the cities of Placerville and South Lake Tahoe to determine their level of interest in participating in an Joint Powers CCA, explore the feasibility of forming a CCA in El Dorado County, continue advisory discussions with existing CCAs, and explore the possibility of incorporating the CCA in the Strategic Plan.
Interest of the cities of Placerville and South Lake Tahoe
The City of Placerville is interested in partnering with the County in efforts to join an existing CCA. At this time the City of South Lake Tahoe is not interested as they receive energy services from Liberty Utilities.
Feasibility of forming a CCA
Based on staff level discussions with existing CCAs it was recommend that El Dorado County try and join an existing JPA rather than try and create our own. This was primarily due to the lack of subject matter expertise, the level of effort needed to hire staff with the appropriate level of expertise and the amount of time it will take to create a new JPA.
Continue advisory discussions with existing CCAs and explore the feasibility of incorporating the CCA
Staff from the Chief Administrative Office and the City of Placerville have had conversations with staff who provide support to two Community Choice Aggregation JPAs regarding the feasibility of joining those organizations. Both organizations have expressed interest in allowing the County and the City of Placerville to join. The discussions are at a point where it will now involve meetings with elected officials who are part of those JPAs. As a result, staff from the County and the City of Placerville are recommending each governing body appoint two members to work in an ad hoc capacity in representing the interests of the West Slope of El Dorado County and the City of Placerville.
In addition to the two Board members, staff from the Chief Administrative Office, Treasurer/Tax-Collector and Economic Development will participate in those discussions.
County Strategic Plan
In 2019 the Board approved an update to the County's Strategic Plan which includes the exploration of CCA as an investment in infrastructure needs to improve and maintain competitiveness with our neighboring jurisdictions by ideally realizing lower energy costs.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to appoint an ad-hoc committee and direct staff to continue discussions, or the Board could choose to discontinue exploring CCA options all together.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
October 30, 2018 Legistar item 18-1631 - presentation from CEDAC
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Treasurer/Tax-Collector and Planning & Building, Economic Development Division
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact associated with this recommendation.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Economic Development - Explore Community Choice Aggregation feasibility in order to invest in infrastructure needs to improve and maintain competitiveness.
CONTACT
Don Ashton, MPA
Chief Administrative Officer