Title
2016 Utility Rate and General Facility Charges (GFC) Recommendations
Recommended Action/UAC Deliverable:
Recommended rates and GFCs for 2016
Report
Issue:
Review 2016 Utility rates, including LOTT, and GFC proposals. Forward recommendations to City Council for review during budget deliberations. Council's Finance Committee review Utility rates on October 23, 2015.
Dan Daniels, Public Works Waste ReSources Director, 360.753.8780
Andy Haub, Public Works Water Resources Director, 360.753.8475
Presenter(s):
Same as above
Previous Utility Rate Work Items Before the UAC:
The Utility Advisory Committee reviews City Utility finances, capital investments, and rates on an annual basis. The evaluation typically begins with review of the Capital Facility Plan (CFP) in June of each year and concludes with Utility rate and GFC recommendations in October. UAC recommendations are important to subsequent City Council decision-making.
Volume-based wastewater rates, a key component of this year's rate evaluation, were discussed in detail during the October, 2014 meeting and briefly during the June, 2015 meeting. The rates are supported by the Wastewater Management Plan.
Background and Analysis
The City Utilities provide vital public health services for our community - safe drinking water, sanitary sewers, waste reduction and disposal, flood management, and environmental protection. Utility staff emphasize both effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of these services.
The 2016 Utility rates will maintain 2015 service levels. The rate increases ensure that essential Utility services continue to be provided reliably and without interruption. Consistent with past practices, any annual savings above mandatory financial reserves are used to minimize rate increases. No appreciable program modifications or expansions are proposed.
The City Utilities are municipal enterprise funds. They are financially self-supporting without the ...
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