RESOLUTION No. 36299

Authorize the City Attorney to intervene in Portland General Electric petition to the Public Utility Commission on regulatory treatment of local taxes (Resolution)

WHEREAS, on February 25, 2005, Portland General Electric filed a petition with the Oregon Public Utility Commission for a declaratory ruling on the regulatory treatment of local taxes collected from customers by utilities, (In re Petition of Portland General Electric Company for a Declaratory Ruling Regarding the Application of OAR 860-022-0045, Oregon Public Utility Commission DR 32), and;

WHEREAS, PGE is one of several utilities serving customers within the City of Portland, Oregon, and;

WHEREAS, the City of Portland has a utility license program that provides fifteen percent of the revenues that pay for basic public services such as police, fire, parks and community development, and;

WHEREAS, Portland also serves as the collection agent for Multnomah County’s business income tax, under an intergovernmental agreement between the City and the County, and;

WHEREAS, participation as a party in the declaratory ruling proceeding would permit the City to: (1) be actively involved in advocating for the benefit of Portland citizens; (2) be informed of other parties’ actions and comments; and, (3) obtain important information regarding the utilities’ practices in handling local tax dollars.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Portland, that the City Attorney is hereby authorized and directed to intervene on behalf of the City as a full party in the proceedings before the Oregon Public Utility Commission, and such subsequent proceedings as may occur, to present the City’s views and protect its interests and the interests of its citizens as may be necessary.

Mayor Tom Potter

B. Walters

03/01/05

BACKING SHEET INFORMATION

AGENDA NO. 180-2005

ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION/COUNCIL DOCUMENT NO. 36299