Due to a death and the natural election cycle, four of the five Austin Utilities Board of Commissioners seats are up for election this fall.

Saturday, July 15, 2000

Due to a death and the natural election cycle, four of the five Austin Utilities Board of Commissioners seats are up for election this fall.

So far, with only appointed board member Larry Pfeil having filed, the municipal utility board is looking at a deficit of three. Pfeil replaced Ken Regner in January. However, Tom Baudler, who was appointed to fill the seat that became vacant when his father and long-time board member died last fall, hasn’t yet filed but intends to.

That makes the board negative two.

Board President Ruth Rasmussen, who will have served a total of eight years and four months when she steps down at the end of this year, is not running for her seat again.

"I would like to encourage women to apply," Rasmussen said. She is the only woman currently on the board. "I didn’t have the technical knowledge, but as I was told the first time I filed: ‘We have staff for that, you just need common sense.’"

That’s not to say that board members, particularly new ones, don’t face a steep learning curve as they delve into the lingo and workings of the municipally-owned gas, water and electric company. The Utilities Board functions primarily to set policy for the municipally owned gas, water and electric company.

"There is a learning process there for sure," Tom Baudler said. "That’s part of why I want to run again. I’m just starting to feel comfortable with the whole business of the utilities."

The board itself has existed since 1903, when the city charter separated the duties of watching over the water and electric utilities from those of the city council, in order to take the politics out of the decision making as well as to allow a group to focus specifically on issues concerned with utilities. Its members meet a minimum of once a month, and also serve on different committees and attend different seminars and other related activities.

Rasmussen, who has also been an Austin City Council member and served on a number of community boards, encourages all to apply.

"It behooves all of us who can to participate in community government," she said. "Plus, it’s very interesting."

There are three four-year terms open on the board and one two-year term. The seats are at-large seats, which means they are not connected to a particular area of Austin. The only requirement is that a candidate is from Austin. Candidates should indicate their interest in a two-year or four-year seat when they file.

Vincent Lynch, who is the other incumbent whose seat is up for election again, is an unknown. He was unavailable for comment as to whether he would run again.