Comprehensive Utility Rate Charge Study Service

The City of Hood River, Oregon, is seeking professional services to conduct a comprehensive utility rate study. The agency needs an objective, transparent, and long-term fee design that promotes financial stability while accounting for future capital requirements and the cost of service. The selected partner must balance these financial needs with ratepayer affordability and the promotion of housing affordability. The project covers identifying project objectives, establishing key milestones, and developing specific utility options based on city financial objectives and industry best practices. The scope of work requires coordinating data collection, compiling customer billing statistics, and forecasting the costs of ongoing operations, maintenance, administration, and other cash obligations. Additionally, the agency requires a review of City Financial Policies and utility assistance programs, alongside an analysis of economic factors like customer growth and cost inflation. The chosen provider will assess the sufficiency of current rates, analyze options for rate structure updates, determine annual rate adjustments, and allocate utility revenue requirements across customer classes. Eligible bidders must be onshore organizations based in the United States. The agency will allow the performance of all work to occur offsite, and bidders must submit their proposals digitally via email or online. The agency is currently looking for proposals to determine the budget for this initiative. The resulting contract will span a period of five years. Bidders must submit all questions regarding this opportunity no later than June 19, 2026.