Development of a Tribal Utility

2. Development of a Tribal Utility

3. Why is the Development of a Tribally Owned Utility a “Good Thing”

4. WHAT CONDITION EXISTS ON MOST TRIBAL LANDS? • THE LACK OF LONG TERM EMPLOYMENT

5. STATIC BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT HOUSING No Large Projects BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ??????? INDUSTRY ??????

6. COMPETITION FOR DECLINING DOLLARS

7. The Advantage • Provides a Tribe the opportunity to create a sustainable enterprise that promotes economic development, employment, self-determination with a minimal amount of risk.

8. Promote Economic Development • Participate in community planning • Commercial development • Expanding our market share

9. Deals with a sustainable commodity • Normally has an established, sustainable and protected market • Keeps revenues generated on tribal lands • Promotes sustainable employment • Allows environmental safeguards • Can minimize government involvement • Promotes self-determination

10. Organizational Structure • Private Enterprise, privately owned and usually for profit • Tribal department • Answers to council • Subject to political influences • Political Subdivision • Does not answer to council • Controlled by elected officials • Tribal Instrumentality • Independent Board or Council • Limited political involvement • May be a volunteer organization

11. In 1971 PTUA was developed as a Tribal Instrumentality to provide electric and water service for the reservation. • $100,000.00 loan from the Tribe, six employees and borrowed office space. • Today TOUA has a combined plant value of approximately $109 million. • Provides electric, water / wastewater, telephone, cellular, internet and propane services for the entire Tohono O’odham Nation. • Employees approximately 108 permanent qualified individuals, and a staff of specific project workers.

12. IN 2009 THE ANNUAL COMBINED BUDGETS TOTALED $117,400,000 • THE ESTIMATED TOTAL REVENUES: • $117,400,000 • THE TOTAL PAYROLL FOR 2009: • $4,800,000

13. Indian Health Service Funding • Probably the most common funding source for infrastructure development • Normally done through the M.O. A. process. • If handled properly, can result in a well built user friendly utility system. • Provides funding for many ancillary services i.e. training, equipment, facilities etc.

14. FUNDING • USDA / RD • EPA • RUS • IHS • BIA • INTERNALLY GENERATED • PRIVATE INVESTMENT

15. EDUCATION • Stay abreast of the changing regulatory environment • Professional Development for our staff. • Maintaining adequate staffing.

16. COMMUNICATION • Make everyone aware of the changes in the industry • Customer (consumer) education Public Meetings Consumer Confidence Reporting School Programs Open Houses

17. What Have We Been Doing • Building • Regionalizing • Automating

18. Continue To Look ahead

19. WithForce Account, Tribal Procurement & 638 Construction we improve and expand.

22. Electric Department Plant Expansion and Replacement High Cost Grant Electrifying Remote Areas Exploring Renewable Energy Alternatives Doing this work with internal workforce.

25. Telephone Department Installation of Fiber Optics To Every Community Expanding Hi-Speed Internet and Exploring Wi-Fi Expanding the Cellular Operation Investigating Digital Television Service Doing the work with internal workforce and special projects workers.

28. Propane Department Residential Delivery Expanding Commercial Business .

29. Residential Delivery

31. WHY WE DO IT

32. Why We Do It

33. What the Future Has In Store

34. Look Toward the Future • Keep working toward financial viability • Stay current with human resource issues • Continue to monitor and adjust rates as needed. • Plan responsibly • Be proactive

35. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ • Maximize Federal Funding • Grants • Loans • Consolidated funding from various sources

36. Thank You