Alameda, Calif., April 12 – The City of Alameda’s Public Utilities Board will host its Annual Budget Workshop on Monday, April 19, at 4:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers, City Hall.

At the meeting, staff of Alameda Municipal Power will present the Board with its draft budget for the 2011 Fiscal Year and seek the Board’s input on the document.  With an anticipated revenue requirement in excess of $50 million, AMP will remain one of the single largest Alameda-based businesses – a business owned by the customers it serves.

"That’s why we encourage everyone’s attendance and attention to our budget-development process,” said Greg Hamm, Public Utilities Board President.  “AMP is a direct contributor to our community’s economic well-being and unique quality of life.  It’s imperative that we allocate resources appropriately and in a manner that reflects community goals, now and for the future.”

The Annual Budget Workshop follows the Board’s Annual Planning Workshop held in January, during which major initiatives and priorities for the utility were discussed.  “This ongoing dialogue is a fundamental component in budget development,” added AMP General Manager Girish Balachandran.  “At the Annual Planning Workshop, the Board considered the critical issues, risks, and opportunities facing our utility.  Some of these included higher costs to purchase electricity, climate change, AMP’s exceptionally high draw on renewable resources, Smart Grid development, reorganizing and right-sizing the workforce, and limited potential for customer growth in the near term.  We now are ready to present a proposal for allocating resources to these and all other areas of our operation.”

Part of the Board’s considerations will be increased revenue requirements to support the Fiscal Year 2011 budget and maintain the long-term financial well-being of the enterprise.  Balachandran explained, “Board direction will be at the foundation of any rate increase recommendations to be made.  We also encourage attention to the Board’s regular April meeting, that will follow the Workshop at 7:00 p.m., as staff will present a progress report on a 4-month analysis of various options for future rates.  Staff will solicit the Board's direction for inclusion in a recommendation to be made in June.”