West Richland Complex Information & Comments Form
In 2021, Benton REA purchased 17 acres of land for future development. The land is located in West Richland on Cooperative Way, just off Keene Road.
Aging facilities require improvements in both West Richland and Prosser.
- Increase costs to address maintenance and repair issues
- Current HVAC failing - increased frequency of service calls and cost
- Electrical issues causing internal loss of power, overloading circuits
- Run down facilities due to age and increased traffic
All members benefit from future property improvements.
- West Richland complex results in several properties in Prosser and West Richland that are surplus and can be sold
- District office and crew will remain in the Prosser area to serve members closer to it
- Will consolidate district office facilities and eliminate crews stopping at 2-4 locations to get material before they leave for the outage or job site
- Operational efficiencies result in more work time, faster response time = better service
- Improves service to everyone, not just those closer to West Richland
- Benton REA’s membership has grown to nearly 12,000 (16,000 accounts)
- 73% of those members live in or are in close proximity to West Richland
- 64% of Benton REA’s field work is closer to West Richland facilities
- Main complex facilities located in West Richland would:
- Decrease travel to job sites allowing for more work time
- Lower fuel costs and decreased wear and tear on vehicles
- Faster response time = better service
- Benton REA rates will be impacted by all facility improvements considered, including the new complex in West Richland
- The estimated impact on rates is 5% over time, which equals less than $7 a month for the average residential bill
- This number could be affected by the sale of current properties and cost savings
Board of Trustees and Staff hired consultants to evaluate options to improve and expand facilities. After several years of consideration, the results are:
Option: 1. Renovate existing: Lowest cost (costs millions) but significant inefficiencies remain
Option 2. Expand existing: not reasonably feasible
Option 3a. Build New in Phases: Most expensive, years before efficiencies fully realized
Option 3b. Build New: Best long-term option with immediate efficiency gains
- Board Considering Option 3b. to Build New West Richland Complex
All comments will be posted on this site for members to view. Please refrain from using profane language. All comments will be reviewed for such language prior to posting.
West Richland Complex Comments Form
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In support of the West Richland new building.