Call Before You Dig Inc., the state-mandated, public utility-funded nonprofit that acts as a clearinghouse for digging safety information, has proposed an approximately 1 percent increase in its budget next year.
Last week, CBYD asked the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to approve a $2.07 million budget for 2016, up from $2.05 million last year.
That’s down from a 1.8 percent increase between 2014 and 2015.
The proposed 2016 budget carries over a projected 2015 surplus of $47,000. The 2016 proposal also includes a 3 percent increase in the nonprofit’s largest expense — its call center contract with PelicanCorp. CBYD has asked for $1.5 million for the contractor next year. The nonprofit is in the final year of a five-year contract with the PelicanCorp and has begun to negotiate its next contract.
CBYD also wants to increase the mileage rate it charges member utility companies, from $4.10 per mile to $4.15.
CBYD said the increase is needed due to its higher contractual costs, as well as a recent levelling off of total billable mileage.
