In This Issue:

Official ballots went out in US mail on February 13, sent to the address at which you receive your Kirkwood property tax bill. If you didn’t receive it or need a replacement, please contact us at KMPUD. 

We all sometimes get too much mail, so here’s what the envelope looks like so it doesn’t slip through the cracks. It’s clearly marked with KMPUD logo.

If you care about the future of fire and emergency services in Kirkwood, it's important that you vote and get friends and neighbors to vote.  If homeowners vote like they answered our survey a month ago, the proposal will have 70% support from residential voters, but if Commercial property owners don’t support the proposal, then homeowners will need to vote in large numbers to outweigh that. 

You likely know by now that we've negotiated with Alpine County to staff at least one full-time firefighter/EMT in Kirkwood at all times and all year long in a model that will integrate our existing voluntary firefighters.  We've settled on a methodology to assess property owners with a fair share of the cost. We've held public meetings and sent out a survey that indicated the specific cost to be assessed to each homeowner. That survey results showed strong support for the proposal (nearly 70 percent of Residential responses). 

The future of fire and emergency services depends on the outcome. Ballots will be tallied and results announced on Friday, April 3 in  the KMPUD Community Service building.  If you have any questions about the proposal or the ballot process, please contact KMPUD (info@kmpud.com) to discuss. We appreciate your engagement in this important process.

Every five years, KMPUD conducts a comprehensive electric rate study, with the most recent study completed in 2021. As we begin 2026, it is time to start the next electric rate study process.

Below is the Board’s schedule and timeline for the 2026 Rate Study:

• January Board Meeting - The Board discussed the background from the 2021 rate study and objective for the 2026 Rate Study.

• February Board Meeting - The Board presented draft expense and revenue models.

• March Board Meeting - The Board will present options for allocation of base rate costs and prepare for public hearing/customer letters.

• April Board Meeting/Special Meeting - The Board will conduct the public hearing on the rate study.

• May Board Meeting - The Board will incorporate public feedback and discuss the 2026 budget data.

• June Board Meeting - The Board will approve the rate study.

• July 1 - The new eclectic rates will take effect. 

We encourage all community members to attend Board meetings to stay informed and provide input. Your participation and feedback are important to us as we work through this process.

 

If it’s time to purchase a new refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer, or water heater, Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District (“District”) offers rebates for the purchase and installation of EnergyStar® appliances and energy-efficient electric water heaters. If you’re looking to switch from propane to electric, or otherwise upgrade your older electric heating system, the District offers a variety of rebate programs on several types of systems.

The 1st application period for 2026 opens April 1 to April 30, so apply today!

Click the link below for the program guidelines and application

Residential Energy Star® Rebate Program-Guidelines and Application

Are you considering installing an EV charger, electric heat pump or other large electric equipment?

Almost any electrical project, including major repairs, panel upgrades, rewiring, or adding new circuits, requires a permit from the county building department.  It is also the customer's responsibility to notify the District in writing 15 days in advance if the customer desires to make any change in the connected load. 

Why is this important?

Installing new electrical equipment can significantly increase your electric load, and if your current electrical system isn't sufficient, it could lead to overloaded circuits, blown fuses, or even electrical fires.  Newer electrical appliances, including EV chargers, are sensitive to voltage fluctuations and may be damaged if your current electrical system is overloaded. 

Increased electric load can also lead to distribution system problems such as overloaded transformers, which could cause unstable power for you and for your neighbors. 

What will happen if my current electrical system is not sufficient for new equipment?

If the existing electric system at your residence is not sufficient to serve the new load, upgrades like a new electrical panel, an additional circuit or heavier gauge wiring may be required. 

If the transformer or wiring serving your residence is not sufficient, a change in the District's service facilities may be needed before your project can move forward.

How do I report changes in the load?

Please contact the District at info@kmpud.com with the details of your project.  Also, please contact your local county building department to get a permit:  

Alpine County Building Safety Division (530) 694-2140

Amador County Building Department (209) 223-6422

Winter weather can be unpredictable and dangerous, especially when driving. Snow, ice, and sleet can increase the risk of accidents. 

On average, winter weather directly or indirectly contributes to over 540,000 vehicular accidents in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that approximately 120,000 police-reported crashes in 2021 occur during snowy or sleet conditions. https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips

While the best way to stay safe in hazardous winter weather is to stay indoors, preparing your vehicle and taking precautions before heading out can make a big difference if you need to drive.  Follow the tips below to stay on the road. 

Check the Weather Before you Go - Is Chain Control on Your Route?

Have your Vehicle Winter Ready - Keep your Fuel Tank Filled

Maintain Your Vehicle - Check your Tires, Fluids, 

Remove Snow and Ice from Your Car

Know How to Handle a Skid and Avoid Sudden Movements

Slow Down and Increase Your Following Distance

Use Your Headlights

Know What to Do if You Become Stranded

Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Car

 

Saving energy means saving money.  How much money have you saved recently? The following tips can help you save more and give you advice about immediate low-cost steps you can take to save energy and money, and about investments in energy-efficient equipment that may help you save more.

As we transition from cold days and nights, to cool mornings and warm days, and maintaining efficiency with the loss and gain of heat, you may  find the following energy saving tips are useful.

Keep Warm in the Evenings - Set the thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night.  And turn it off when you are away for long periods of time.

For every degree you lower heating in the 60-70 degree range, you will save up to three percent on heating costs.

Insulate to Keep the Heat Where It is Needed Most - By installing insulation, a homeowner can cut up to 20 percent off a heating or cooling bill. The attic is one of the most important places to insulate. The higher the R-value of insulation, the greater the insulating value. Ensure your attic ventilates so moisture can escape.

Stop Air Leaks and Cut Air Drafts - Gaps and holes where plumbing pipes and wires enter the home and around exhaust fans and vents as they exit the home should be caulked and stuffed with insulation. If you can see daylight or feel a draft through a crack under or over a door, you may want to consider weather stripping.

Save on Water Heating - If you have a dishwasher, set the temperature to 130-135 degrees.  If you do not have a dishwasher, a setting of 122 degrees Fahrenheit is considered efficient and sanitary and will help prevent scalding injuries. For every degree you lower the temperature on a 40-gallon gas water heater, you will save about 1.5 therms a year.

Monitor your Fireplace - Keep the damper closed unless you have a fire going.  An open damper can let up to 8% of home's heat escape out the chimney. If you use your fireplace to heat your home, invest in an air blower to circulate the warm air.

The District, in cooperation with Republic Services, provides an Ash Bin as a courtesy to our customers who need to safely dispose of ashes produced by wood stoves and fireplaces.

The purpose of the Ash Bin is to prevent fires in other dumpsters which are dedicated solely for disposal of household waste and recycling. In the past, improper disposal of ashes has caused numerous fires at the dumpster pad, trash chute rooms, and even the disposal truck. Such events pose a serious fire threat to homes and could cause a wildland fire.

At its February 6 monthly meeting, here are the KMPUD board’s most important discussion topics. You can review the board meeting materials here.   

- Plans for the Prop 218-compliant ballot process for the proposed agreement to have Alpine County Fire Department provide 24/7 service in Kirkwood.

- Upcoming changes to electric rates — The temporary committee working on electric rates (Bob Epstein, Chris Tucher, Staff, and leadership) presented first steps of our rate study analysis, including an allocation methodology for all electric costs to variable rates vs. fixed base rates.  For example, the cost of purchasing power is directly tied to usage, so it’s allocated to variable rates.  On the other hand, our debt payments and depreciation are fixed, and we allocate them to fixed base rates. At the March board meeting we’ll present a proposal details on a new rate structure to take effect in July.    

- Review of the FY 20255 financial audit and auditor’s notes.  

- Every month we review operational and financial metrics.

- Next board meeting: Friday March 6, at 2pm in KMPUD building, or on Zoom.  Details and agenda are on the website.

Kirkwood is your District and your input and participation are valuable. Click here to view the Community Calendar of upcoming Board and Committee meetings. We encourage your participation at our meetings. Click here to learn about the agenda and click here to access past Board of Directors meetings. 

Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District

209-258-4444 / info@kmpud.com / www.kmpud.com