EPHRATA - In a split 3-2 vote, Grant County PUD commissioners

approved next year's $476.9 million budget and a 6 percent rate

increase to start Feb. 1.

For the average residential customer, the increase means an

additional $3 per month on their electric bill, said Sarah Morford,

a utility spokesperson, on Monday.

EPHRATA - In a split 3-2 vote, Grant County PUD commissioners approved next year's $476.9 million budget and a 6 percent rate increase to start Feb. 1.

For the average residential customer, the increase means an additional $3 per month on their electric bill, said Sarah Morford, a utility spokesperson, on Monday.

Earlier this month, commissioners agreed to the increase, but received an updated financial forecast and another expenditure report. As a result, more discussions followed.

On Monday, they decided to stay with next year's percentage increase, but wait to approve 8 percent hikes in 2012 and 2013, according to the resolution approved Monday.

Future rate increases shown in the financial forecast are considered at a later date, the resolution states.

The financial forecast still includes 8 percent increases for 2012 and 2013 for forecasting purposes, Morford said.

Commissioners Tom Flint, Greg Hansen and Randy Allred voted in favor of the motion.

President Bob Bernd and Commissioner Terry Brewer voted against the motion.

Before he voted no, Bernd said the district will more than make up and reach its target in the reserve and contingency fund and construction fund.

The commission is allowing district general manager Tim Culbertson to make an additional $1.72 million in budget cuts, which have not been decided upon.

Commissioners also determined how the rate increase is allocated among customers to raise an additional 6 percent in revenue.

Increases are as follows: residential 4 percent, commercial 5 percent, irrigation 5.4 percent, large commercial 7.3 percent, small industrial 9.4 percent, large industrials 5.8 percent, ag food processors 8.9 percent and ag food processor boiler rate 5.9 percent.

"Commissioners and staff worked hard to trim the budget to very lean levels," stated Culbertson, the district's general manager. "My message to staff has been clear, we're going to do more with less."