Title
Wastewater Master Plan
Body
Issue:
The draft 2013 Wastewater Management Plan suggests policy and financial changes for the City’s Wastewater Utility. The draft Plan is scheduled for review by City Council in late July. Based on its review of the draft Plan, the UAC could choose to provide a comment letter to Council.
UAC Deliverable: Recommendation to City Council
Issue: The draft 2013 Wastewater Management Plan suggests policy and financial changes for the City’s Wastewater Utility. The draft Plan is scheduled for review by City Council in late July. Based on its review of the draft Plan, the UAC could choose to provide a comment letter to Council.
Staff Contact:
Steve Sperr, P.E., Water Resources Engineer, 360.753.8739
Andy Haub, P.E., Planning and Engineering Manager, 360.753.8475
Background and Analysis:
The Utility Advisory Committee reviewed key policy proposals of the draft Plan during its April 4, 2013 meeting. The draft policies focused on the use and conversion of onsite septic systems, the use of alternative technologies including grinder pumps and STEP systems, and residential volume-based utility rates.
The May 2 meeting will focus on financial issues facing the Utility. FCS Group, our financial consultant, has completed a draft financial analysis for the Utility and the Plan. Not surprisingly, the analysis confirms that the Utility is in solid financial condition and is able to meet projected operational and capital needs outlined in the draft Wastewater Plan while maintaining affordable rates.
Current financial policies and practices relating to reserve funds, capital investments and debt can be maintained. New capital project expenditures are not expected to require issuance of new debt. The analysis suggests that utility revenue and expenses can be balanced with inflationary rate increases of zero to four percent a year for the next six years. Given our long-term assumptions, a 20-year planning horizon can also be accom...
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