Tucson Standard

During its May 9 meeting, the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) discussed and later approved a $2 million increase in its utilities budget for the remainder of the fiscal year, citing several factors for the needed funds.

For the fiscal year 2022-2023, the district budgeted $13,839,826.63 for electricity between payments to Tucson Electric Power (TEP) and Trico Electric Cooperative, as well as $1,531,648.92 for the natural gas services provided by Southwest Gas. When those numbers proved to be insufficient, the board was asked to approve an additional $2,164,769.07 to cover the district's utility bills for the remainder of the fiscal year.

"We're here again, unfortunately, talking about a district utility cost increase," TUSD Superintendent Gabriel Trujillo said in the meeting.

Chief Operations Officer Blaine Young and Energy project manager Tina Cook were in attendance to explain the reasons for the increase, as were officials from TEP and Trico.

"There are multiple factors, as Dr. Trujillo said, that play into why our electric consumption is at the level it is and why it is costing what it's costing,” Young told the board. The district is charged based on its kilowatt-per-hour usage. The electric company officials explained that the rate hikes have been caused by cost increases to the utilities, and the company is seeking ways to stabilize them.

Board members asked what the district could do to try to improve its utility usage. Young said the increase in kilowatt-hours was chalked up to “equipment changes, expansion of virtual learning, water equipment, security upgrades, mini-appliances and cold weather days," as well as market increases in utility rates. Despite their concerns, the board approved the rate increases for the fiscal year and thanked the utilities representatives for attending the meeting.

Young also reported that the district is making advances with solar power, which is estimated to save them approximately $1.5 million next year.