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2� <br /> I read this paragraph from People, Politics, and Public Power <br /> into the record because the proposed Kittitas County budget <br /> contains numerous agreements, special districts, quasi—special <br /> purpose districts, and a continued pursuit of the "next new <br /> thing"—such as broadband—much like electricity was for the <br /> Public Utility Districts in the 1950s. <br /> I would encourage the younger professionals in the room, <br /> including the Auditor and the Public Works Director, to read <br /> this book. It details how the "sausage is made"—the hard work, <br /> the political struggle, and the financial risks taken by public <br /> entities such as the Kittitas PUD in the 1950s. <br /> The book also describes classic public-private partnerships, such <br /> as Chelan PUD's move to begin condemnation of the Rock <br /> Island Dam, the first major dam built on the main stem of the <br /> Columbia by Puget Power. Despite years of litigation and <br /> negotiation, that partnership ultimately produced benefits that <br /> still exist today. <br /> It also recounts controversies, including Washington State's first <br /> grand jury impaneled over a PUD commissioner taking a 10% <br /> override on Priest Rapids construction materials. <br /> While the book includes even more colorful stories from that <br /> era, the broader point is this: public power and public <br /> infrastructure development used to involve significant risks, <br /> conflicts, and accountability challenges. <br /> Today, I believe we operate in a far more transparent and <br /> structured environment. Yet concerns remain as Kittitas County <br /> now operates OurSpringwood, uses grant funds to build remote <br />