Section 1200.240  Communications Regarding Fees and Fee Dispute Resolution

a)         The Agency may meet with representatives from participating utilities from time to time at the request of the participating utilities to discuss fees invoiced, incurred but not invoiced, or expected to be incurred and charged to the participating utility pursuant to Section 1200.200.  Notwithstanding the participating utility's request, the Agency shall offer to hold at least one meeting in the first two quarters of the fiscal year and one meeting in the second two quarters of the fiscal year with the participating utilities separately or jointly.  Nothing in this Section prevents the Agency from offering to meet with one or more participating utilities additional times or including the procurement planning consultants at one or more meetings.  All conversations pursuant to this Section are subject to any applicable reporting requirements imposed by statute or rule.

b)         Fee Disputes

1)         If any party assessed a fee has a good-faith dispute regarding fees, the party shall pay the undisputed amount in a timely fashion.

2)         If a party pays the disputed amount and provides written correspondence explaining the disputed amount and the grounds for dispute, full payment shall not be considered a waiver of the dispute.

3)         The Agency and the party shall make reasonable efforts to resolve the dispute.