What is a PUD?

Public Utility Districts (PUDs) are nonprofit, community-owned, and governed utilities that provide electric, water and sewer service. Washington's first initiative to the legislature, approved by voters in 1930, gave citizens of each county the right to form a PUD. The Washington State Grange sponsored the PUD initiative because private power companies at that time refused to bring electric service to farms and small communities.

The PUD law is codified in RCW 54. Today, twenty-eight PUDs serve more than 1.7 million citizens across the state.

Each PUD has:

• A board of elected commissioners who set policy for their PUD. Most boards have three commissioners; some have five. Commissioners are elected by the community served by the PUD, and serve six-year terms on a nonpartisan basis.
• A professional manager and staff who operate the PUD.
• Open meetings, where members of the public can observe and participate in decisions made by the PUD board of commissioners.
• Utility rates based on the cost of service. Because PUDs are nonprofit utilities owned by the public, not by stockholders, they are in business solely to provide service, not to make a profit from utility service.
• A commitment to conserving electricity and water. PUDs offer programs to help customers use energy and water efficiently. They support policies that promote resource conservation.

Mission Statement

THE MISSION OF MASON COUNTY PUD NO. 1 IS TO PROVIDE ELECTRIC, WATER AND OTHER UTILITY SERVICES AS EFFICIENTLY AND AS RELIABLE AS POSSIBLE. TO ACCOMPLISH THIS MISSION, THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS AND GOALS ARE SET FORTH TO SUPPORT CUSTOMER SERVICE AND PROMOTE EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT AND PRIDE IN THE UTILITY.

1. Safety is a primary concern in our industry and shall be promoted through education, training and use of safety equipment to secure the welfare of employees and the community.
2. Deliver reliable service in a professional manner, utilizing the safest methods and materials within the limits of available resources.
3. Practice sound financial management and monitor expenditures to
   maintain the lowest possible rates and fees for our customers.
4. Exercise extraordinary customer service by efficiently responding to our customer's needs with competency, honesty and integrity.
5. Promote public power in our community.
6. Employee Development - Encourage continued education and training to maintain a positive working environment and a productive organization. Support employee involvement in developing and achieving our goals and objectives.
7. Employee interest, communication and motivation is essential.

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