At the beginning of the current strategic plan cycle, Wheat Belt Public Power District’s Board of Directors and senior staff met for a three-day strategic planning session at Tri-State Generation and Transmission’s headquarters in Westminster, Colorado. With facilitation provided by Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC), the group identified five key focus areas to guide the District over the next three years: Leverage Financial Strength, Strengthen Governance, Strengthen the Distribution System, Strengthen Customer Relationships, and Strengthen Safety Culture.
As we move into the plan’s second year, meaningful progress is being made across all focus areas.

Leverage Financial Strength
Wheat Belt continues to analyze various long-term power supply options and develop alternative scenarios to ensure the best power supplier for our customers in the future. Financial planning improvements are underway, including redefining the annual budget cycle, developing and implementing a board-approved three-year rolling budget, and annually updating the Long-Term Financial Forecast. Work is also progressing toward developing a long-term rate strategy and building in-house expertise in cost-of-service studies.

Strengthen Governance
Efforts to strengthen governance include researching educational opportunities for board members, developing recommended educational paths, and reporting on current certifications and coursework. Wheat Belt is also evaluating options for improving board assessments and CEO appraisals, while developing succession plans for board members, senior managers, and the CEO.

Strengthen the Distribution System
Modernizing the electric system remains a priority. Wheat Belt is implementing project-based procurement, contracting staking services for major projects, and clearly identifying work best performed by District crews versus contractors. Completion of the 2024 storm conductor damage repairs is ongoing, with FEMA funding coordination underway. Engineering firms are being leveraged for staking and bidding, with District staff inspecting and overseeing construction to ensure quality.

Strengthen Customer Relationships
To make Wheat Belt more real and personal, efforts are underway to define communication methods and messaging, while collecting customer email addresses to improve outreach. The District is also exploring grant opportunities, including hazard mitigation funding through NEMA and potential REDLG (Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant program) projects that support local communities.

Strengthen Safety Culture
Safety remains a core value at Wheat Belt. The District is refining safety committee roles, executing the annual safety improvement plan, reviewing the full safety manual with employees, and providing safety awareness training for first responders. Additional reviews include safety-related benefits such as the FR (Flame Resistant) clothing allowance to ensure employee protection remains a priority.

Each employee plays an important role in carrying out this strategic plan as Wheat Belt remains committed to delivering electricity safely, reliably, and efficiently, while respecting individuals, producing quality work, and valuing integrity for the benefit of our customers and communities.