PowerPoint PresentationWHAT WE DO FOR MONTANA
The Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) is tasked with ensuring that rate payers have access to vital utility services that are affordable, reliable, and sustainable. In pursuit of this goal, the PSC regulates
the rates and service quality for investor owned electric, natural gas, water, waste-water, and legacy
telecommunication companies. The PSC also plays a vital role in protecting public
safety by inspecting railroads and ensuring the integrity of intra-state pipelines, and the agency
oversees certain forms of commercial transportation, including garbage haulers and moving companies.
In addition, our dedicated Consumer Assistance Team fields service complaints from utility customers and
helps investigate and resolve problems. Though they differ in form and function, companies in
these industries all have one thing in common, they are monopolies with a captive set of customers.
It’s the PSC’s job to balance the interests of ratepayers who are concerned about rate increases, with the
need to maintain financially sound companies capable of providing reliable service.
Pipeline Safety Railway Safety
Montana Public Service Commission 1701 Prospect Avenue - P.O. Box 202601
Helena, MT 59620-2601
(406) 444-6199 psc.mt.gov
PSC Prepares Budget
Authorized by Legislature
Regulated Utilities
& Federal Safety Programs
$-
$1,000,000
$2,000,000
$3,000,000
$4,000,000
$5,000,000
$6,000,000
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
An nu
al A
pp ro
pr ia
tio n
Total Budget Appropriation Appropriation without EDDI Appropriation without EDDI & HB 597 FTE
2019 and 2021 spikes in budget are attributable to modernizing the PSC's 30- year old electronic data base and docketing system; and restoration of 3 previously cut FTE's. Once those issues are addressed, the budget is projected to drop and flatten substantially.
Projected 1.8% Total Average
Growth Over 15 Years
*The above average does not include cost for repair or
replacement of the failing, antiquated software system
32.00
33.00
34.00
35.00
36.00
37.00
38.00
39.00
40.00
41.00
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
FT E
Co un
FTE (2000-2015).
down from 40 to 35 FTE, a net
loss of 14.3% of agency staff, in
the 2015-17 sessions.
Analyst 42100036
Analyst 42100033
Attorney 42100040
Consumer Representative
Attorney 42100040
Consumer Representative
Attorney 42100040
Consumer Representative
Attorney 42100040
Consumer Representative
Commissioner Brad Johnson
5 9
LEGISLATIVE HELP NEEDED:
• Executive Director • Communications
Make .5 FTE (from HB597) a 1 FTE position in Regulatory Division
Make 1.0 FTE (from HB597) permanent in Regulatory Division
Make 1.0 FTE (from HB597) permanent in Legal Division
Others Eligible for Retirement (6)
Other Anticipated Vacancies (1)
38 FTE PLAN: Make 2 HB597 FTE’s Permanent
Change .5 HB597 FTE into 1 FTE Move to Reg Division
Convert Coms Director to Exec Director w/Coms Strengths
Split Paralegal/Commission Sec
Divide & reassign the Commission Secretary duties of this position to Centralized Services
• Paralegal • Outgoing
Doc Processing
• Reception • Commission Secretary • Cross Train IT
• Make the 2.5 FTE from HB 597 permanent and round up to 3.0 FTE
• Repeal HB 597’s Hearings Examiner Mandate
• Complete Software Modernization
Planned Retirements 2021 (3)
April 30 June 30
LEGAL SERVICES
REGULATORY SERVICES
CENTRAL SERVICES
STRATEGIC PLAN: Functional FTE Level = 40 CENTRAL SERVICES
+1 CPA +1 DATA/IT
REGULATORY +1 UTILTY ANALYST
STAFF POSITIONS: CURRENT FTE FY 22: NEEDED ADDITIONAL: PROPOSED TOTAL: NOTE:
INTERNAL CPA 0 1 1
Centralized Services Division: Add a dedicated full time CPA to administer the agency's internal fiscal operations and controls
DATA/IT 1 1 2
Centralized Services Division: Restore a dedicated full time technician to support the agency's data management and technology systems
ATTORNEYS 4 1 5
Legal Division: Restore 1 FTE to a assist Legal Division with increasing demands of complex/contested energy issues
UTILITY ECONOMISTS 4 1 5
Regulatory Division: Restore 1 FTE to assist Regulatory Division with increasing demands of complex/contested utilty rate design
COMMISSIONERS 5 5 DIVISION ADMINISTATORS 3 3 UTILITY ACCOUNTANTS 4 4 PIPELINE ENGINEERS 3 3 RAILWAY INSPECTORS 2 2 POLICY ANALYSTS 2 2 CONSUMER SUPPORT 3 3 ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT 5 5 TOTAL STAFF FTE 36 4 40
HOW THE LEGISLATURE CAN HELP IMPROVE DPSR OPERATIONS & PERFORMANCE:
• Restore FTE to Fully Functional Level (40 total) +2 Central Services Division (CPA & DATA/IT TECH) +1 Regulatory Division (UTILITY ANALYST) +1 Legal Division (ATTORNEY)
• Correct Budget Language to Update/Repair Failing Software System • Repeal Hearings Examiner Mandate/Make Optional • Increase Understanding of Agency Process for Regulating Monopolies • Coordinate/Cooperate with Commission on Proposed Legislation
COMMISSIONER TRAVEL AVERAGE ANNUAL EXPENSE RATIO - PAST PRACTICE 2017-2020
UNEQUAL – NO CAP PER COMMISSIONER
PINNOCI DISTRICT 1
JOHNSON DISTRICT 5
LAKE DISTRICT 4
KOOPMAN DISTRICT 3
EQUALLY CAPPED FOR EACH COMMISSIONER
DISTRICT 1
DISTRICT 5
DISTRICT 4
DISTRICT 3
DISTRICT 2
District 1 District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 Total Kavulla Pinocci O'Donnell Koopman Lake Johnson
YEARS: 2017-2018 2019-2020 2017-2020 2017-2020 2017-2020 2017-2020 2017-2020 Instate Travel 4,083.22$ 4,673.17$ 4,433.19$ 3,266.26$ 4,680.22$ 589.99$ 21,726.05$ Out of State Travel 26,610.23$ 6,911.02$ 36,981.67$ 6,388.70$ 8,749.16$ 54,105.12$ 139,745.90$ Reimbursements RCD by State (784.00)$ -$ (5,355.05)$ (784.00)$ (588.00)$ (5,637.62)$ (13,148.67)$ SubTotal 29,909.45$ 11,584.19$ 36,059.81$ 8,870.96$ 12,841.38$ 49,057.49$ 148,323.28$ Annual Average 14,954.73$ 5,792.10$ 9,014.95$ 2,217.74$ 3,210.35$ 12,264.37$ 37,080.82$ Monthly Average 1,246.23$ 482.67$ 751.25$ 184.81$ 267.53$ 1,022.03$ 3,090.07$
COMMISSIONER TRAVEL AVERAGE ANNUAL EXPENSE BY COMMISSIONER
PAST PRACTICE 2017-2020
4 YEAR SUMMARY
$ 104.17
$ 104.17
$ 104.17
$ 104.17
$ 104.17
$ 104.17
$ 520.83
*Most of the phones are $15/month plus taxes and add-ons. ITSD is charged per employee/connection. Based on that, staff estimates about $100 per month per commissioner. This estimate total multiplies these assumptions by the number of years rounded for an estimated total of $5,000 for phone/office expenses over the four year period.
Johnson - In State
Commissioner Brad Johnson
$ 33.54
$ 33.54
Butte
5/21/2018
5/22/2018
$ 102.58
$ 46.00
$ 143.39
$ 291.97
Missoula
6/17/2019
6/17/2019
$ 234.12
$ 29.00
$ 170.14
$ 500.00
$ 933.26
Hamilton
3/9/2017
3/11/2017
$ 207.30
$ 40.00
$ 121.98
$ 369.28
Missoula
6/25/2017
6/27/2017
$ 355.20
$ 58.00
$ 245.04
$ 658.24
Whitefish
10/29/2017
10/30/2017
$ 100.51
$ 35.00
$ 168.53
$ 304.04
Havre
3/6/2018
3/7/2018
$ 4.00
$ 74.67
$ 78.67
Butte
8/26/2018
8/28/2018
$ 134.68
$ 105.19
$ 150.00
$ 389.87
Kalispell
8/28/2018
8/29/2018
$ 101.51
$ 35.00
$ 176.91
$ 313.42
Absarokee
Total
$ 1,560.83
$ 289.00
$ 15.15
$ - 0
$ 1,568.24
$ 650.00
$ 4,083.22
$ 90.88
$ 24.00
$ 93.10
$ 207.98
Butte
5/1/2017
5/1/2017
$ 12.00
$ 92.02
$ 104.02
Butte
6/5/2017
6/6/2017
$ 301.53
$ 69.00
$ 109.55
$ 480.08
$ 410.32
$ 72.00
$ 238.71
$ 721.03
Missoula
6/27/2018
6/29/2018
$ 6.00
$ 133.75
$ 139.75
Missoula
4/19/2017
4/19/2017
$ 6.00
$ 74.90
$ 80.90
Butte
6/5/2017
6/6/2017
$ 59.95
$ 90.00
$ 149.95
Missoula
4/25/2018
4/27/2018
$ 201.02
$ 58.00
$ 179.85
$ 438.87
$ 33.00
$ 177.13
$ 210.13
Missoula
6/27/2018
6/29/2018
$ 301.53
$ 63.00
$ 105.73
$ 470.26
$ 410.32
$ 60.00
$ 376.06
$ 846.38
Missoula
6/27/2018
6/29/2018
From Date
To Date
Travel Description
$ 93.00
$ 72.92
$ 744.90
$ 910.82
$ 999.54
$ 278.00
$ 204.62
$ 1,457.80
$ 895.00
$ 3,834.96
$ 784.00
$ 127.00
$ 62.50
$ 1,117.10
$ 495.00
$ 2,585.60
$ 784.00
Anchorage, AK
$ 689.70
$ 115.00
$ 12.00
$ 520.60
$ 335.00
$ 1,672.30
$ 420.69
$ 70.00
$ 66.00
$ 573.60
$ 440.00
$ 1,570.29
Seattle, WA
$ 758.85
$ 68.00
$ 115.00
$ 843.60
$ 575.00
$ 2,360.45
$ 678.78
$ 134.00
$ 85.38
$ 882.00
$ 1,780.16
$ 282.28
$ 124.00
$ 70.75
$ 536.60
$ 1,013.63
$ 830.88
$ 475.00
$ 475.00
$ 564.99
$ 163.00
$ 51.86
$ 598.00
$ 1,377.85
$ 1,377.85
From Date
To Date
Travel Description
$ 129.49
$ 46.00
$ 11.00
$ 606.40
$ 792.89
$ 784.00
$ 127.00
$ 89.91
$ 518.20
$ 495.00
$ 2,014.11
$ 784.00
$ 1,230.11
Anchorage, AK
$ 203.16
$ 264.00
$ 73.58
$ 459.15
$ 71.70
$ 335.00
$ 1,406.59
$ 268.64
$ 57.00
$ 29.96
$ 148.20
$ 411.00
$ 914.80
$ 195.00
$ 7.45
$ 575.00
$ 777.45
$ 230.75
$ 92.00
$ 75.48
$ 482.60
$ 880.83
$ 227.02
$ 81.00
$ 125.15
$ 516.20
$ 949.37
$ 313.40
$ 91.00
$ 74.69
$ 373.80
$ 97.01
$ 949.90
$ 432.14
$ 91.00
$ 54.00
$ 909.60
$ 1,486.74
From Date
To Date
Travel Description
$ 784.00
$ 127.00
$ 23.50
$ 499.10
$ 495.00
$ 1,928.60
$ 784.00
$ 1,144.60
Anchorage, AK
$ 1,011.80
$ 127.00
$ 180.00
$ 677.80
$ 575.00
$ 2,571.60
From Date
To Date
Travel Description
$ 588.00
$ 184.00
$ 90.00
$ 600.55
$ 64.20
$ 495.00
$ 2,021.75
$ 588.00
$ 1,433.75
Anchorage, AK
$ 3.49
$ 3.49
$ 228.84
$ 228.84
From Date
To Date
Travel Description
$ 784.00
$ 184.00
$ 63.50
$ 495.00
$ 1,526.50
$ 784.00
$ 742.50
Anchorage, AK
$ 689.70
$ 230.00
$ 50.00
$ 411.10
$ 335.00
$ 1,715.80
$ 1,011.80
$ 103.00
$ 68.00
$ 401.60
$ 575.00
$ 2,159.40
$ 907.50
$ 1,251.90
$ 135.60
$ 18.62
$ 106.72
$ 101.66
$ 362.60
From Date
To Date
Travel Description
HOW THE LEGISLATURE CAN HELP IMPROVE DPSR OPERATIONS & PERFORMANCE:
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