Rate Study Community Advisory Group Study Area …...Water and Wastewater Utility 14 Rate Study...
Transcript of Rate Study Community Advisory Group Study Area …...Water and Wastewater Utility 14 Rate Study...
Study Introduction and Overview
Study Area OverviewStaff Name, Department (DEPT ACRONYM)
Water and Wastewater UtilityRate Study Community Advisory Group
Meeting #1: October 21, 2018
2Water and Wastewater UtilityRate Study Community Advisory Group
Agenda
6:30 – 6:50 Welcome and Introductions
6:50 – 7:00 RSCAG Charge and Objectives
7:00 – 7:20 Study Overview and Objectives
• Arlington’s Water Systems
• Rate Study Overview and Goals
• Public Engagement Overview and Goals
7:20 – 7:40 Q&A
7:40 – 7:50 Wrap-Up and Next Steps
7:50 – 8:00 Public Comment
Water and Wastewater UtilityRate Study Community Advisory Group 3
Rate Study Community Advisory Group (RSCAG)Name Affiliation Category
Regina Boston NAIOP (Commercial Real Estate Development Association)
Development Community
Lily Duran Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) Residential
Matt Gerber Chamber of Commerce Large Business
Heitham Ghariani Southampton Condo Association Residential
Kathleen Harrison Arlington County Civic Federation Residential
Herschel Kanter Commission on Aging Residential
Daniel Logan Columbia Pike Laundromat Small Business
Michael Mesmer Environment and Energy Conservation Commission (E2C2) Environmental
Bob Orttung Neighborhood Conservation Advisory Committee Residential
Nora Palmatier Urban Forestry Commission Environmental
Peter Robertson Fiscal Affairs Advisory Commission Fiscal Matters
Rafael Sampayo Arlington County Engagement Brigade Residential
4Water and Wastewater UtilityRate Study Community Advisory Group
RSCAG Charge
• Represent• Represent the interests and views of their respective interest
groups. Members are encouraged to communicate regularly with their interest group and to act in a liaison role with and to convey the opinions of their interest group to County staff and consultants.
• Collaborate• Work collaboratively with each other, County staff, and
consultants to inform the development of rate and fee structures that effectively balance the needs and interests of all stakeholders.
5Water and Wastewater UtilityRate Study Community Advisory Group
RSCAG Objectives
• Represent identified Stakeholder interests and concerns
• Provide feedback and perspective on the Study
• Liaise between community groups and the County project team
• Encourage participation and communication through project engagement opportunities (e.g., pop-ups and community workshops)
Multi-family Family Residential
Fiscal MattersEnvironmental
Vulnerable Populations(Low-Moderate Incomes, Seniors)
Development Community Large and Small
Businesses
Property Management
Single Family Residential
6
Arlington’s Water and Wastewater Systems
7Water and Wastewater UtilityRate Study Community Advisory Group
County Utilities at a Glance
• Water Transmission & Distribution only– Treated water purchased from Washington Aqueduct
• Sanitary sewer collection, conveyance, and wastewater treatment
• Key statistics: – County population: 226,400– Accounts: 37,500
• Does not include Stormwater Management– County has separate storm sewer systems and
separate funding mechanism
8Water and Wastewater UtilityRate Study Community Advisory Group
County Water System• Water Transmission & Distribution
only• Water is purchased wholesale from
Washington Aqueduct– No water treatment plant in
Arlington• Key water statistics:
– 21 MGD average day consumption– 525 miles of pipeline (4” to 48”)– 5 pump stations– 6,000 valves– 3,700 fire hydrants– 32 (MG) storage capacity
9Water and Wastewater UtilityRate Study Community Advisory Group
County Wastewater System• Sanitary sewer collection,
conveyance, and treatment• 40 MGD (capacity) Water
Pollution Control Plant (WPCP)– Average 25.6 MGD treatment
• Inter-Jurisdictional (IJ) Partners– Arlington contracts with Fairfax County to
convey 1.8 MGD to Blue Plains WWTP– Fairfax Co, Falls Church, and Alexandria
have reserved capacity of 6.8 MGD (~17%) at Arlington’s WPCP
• Key sewer statistics:– 470 miles of pipeline – 13 lift stations
10
11
Rate Study Overview
12Water and Wastewater UtilityRate Study Community Advisory Group
Rate Study Scope
• Study involves – financial planning and modeling – cost of service analysis– review of the rate structure
• Periodic rate studies are considered industry "best practice"– Arlington's last rate study was completed in 2004
13Water and Wastewater UtilityRate Study Community Advisory Group
What is a Rate Structure?
Rate Structure Rate
A rate structure concerns how customers are charged for
services.
The rate is what amount of money is charged.
Current User Rates(per 1,000 gallons)
Water $ 4.70
Wastewater $ 9.10
Combined $ 13.80
Current Rate Structure
• Uniform - Each unit of water/wastewater costs the same amount
• Based on water usage• Volumetric charges only
14Water and Wastewater UtilityRate Study Community Advisory Group
Rates and Charges
• County recovers all costs for water and wastewater service through rates, charges, and miscellaneous fees – not taxes.– User Rates: Recurring, based on usage or
access to system– Infrastructure Availability Fees (IAFs): One-
time charges for new development– Other Miscellaneous Fees: Ancillary charges
for various non-recurring services (late fees, turn-on fees, inspection fees, etc.)
15Water and Wastewater UtilityRate Study Community Advisory Group
Goals of the Study
Cost of Service & Rate Design
Generate sufficient revenues
Address utility & stakeholder objectives
Consistent with industry best practice
Defensible if challenged
16
Public Engagement Overview
Water and Wastewater UtilityRate Study Community Advisory Group 17
Communication and Public Engagement TacticsOngoing, broad communication & public engagement
Key Stakeholder Consultation
Forums for Community Interaction & Input
Connecting at Existing Community Events
• Project Web Page• Online Engagement Platform • Existing County Communications
• Rate Study Community Advisory Group
• Community Workshops/Meetings• Open Houses
• Pop-ups• Civic Association Briefings• Briefings for Partners,
Commissions and Other Groups
19Water and Wastewater UtilityRate Study Community Advisory Group
Public Engagement Goals
Public Engagement
Educate and inform
Update on latest developments
Solicit feedback from Stakeholders
Share how public input informs study
Establish channels for communication
Q & Awater.arlingtonva.us/water-and-wastewater-utility-rate-study/
Water and Wastewater UtilityRate Study Community Advisory Group 21
Wrap-up and Next Steps
Meetings Topics Meeting Dates
Study Introduction and Overview
• RSCAG introduction and Rate Study overview• What is a Rate Structure? What Alternative Rate
Structures are Common in the Industry?October 21, 2019
System Background and Rate-Setting Process
• Water and Wastewater System Overview – Plant Tour• Historical Consumption/Usage Patterns• Rates 101 and Study Approach
November 14, 2019
Core Values • Identify and prioritize core values to inform rate structure design TBD
Alternative Rate and Fee Structure Proposals
• Alternative Water and Sewer Rate and Fee (e.g., Infrastructure Availability, Miscellaneous) Structures TBD
Recommendation Development and Reporting
• Recommended Rate and Fee Structures• Summary of RSSAG’s Consolidated Feedback • Summary of Feedback from the broader Arlington
Community
TBD
RSCAG Meeting Topics and Schedule
Thank you!water.arlingtonva.us/water-and-wastewater-utility-rate-study/