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<br /> <br />Water Budget and Rates <br />As discussed in November, we are proposing a 0% rate increase for 2021. <br /> <br />Notable items in the water budget for 2021 are: <br />3% COLA for Office, Field, and Management pay plan groups. <br />Conservative estimate for usage and growth. <br />Administrative expenses due to bonding for the new field services building. <br />Administrative expenses for HR position that was filled in 2020. <br />Water Utility Worker position to help with Backflow Prevention inspections (carried <br />over from 2020 budget). <br />Administrative expense due to wellhead protection plan amendment. <br />Highway 169 Redefine project from reserves. <br />Water main construction from reserves. <br />New Field Services Building from bonding. <br /> <br />Submitted for approval is the 2021 Annual Business Plan which includes the 2021 Budget and <br />the 2021 Schedule of Rates & Fees.The 2021 fees were already approved by the commission in <br />November and are being presented here unchanged, with the exception of the 4% increase to <br />WAC fees, for formal adoption in the Annual Business Plan. The adoption of the 2021 Schedule <br />of Rates & Fees through the adoption of the Annual Business Plan shall supersede and replace <br />all previously adopted tariffs, rates, and fees. <br /> <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: <br />As previously discussed, the Travel & Training budget is an increase from the prior year of 50%. <br />This increase is a result of a change in presentation of showing Labor expense within the <br />budget. Some other proposed key items are as follows: <br />Additional training (Everyday Leadership) in all departments that was identified as a <br />need in our organizational effectiveness survey $20,000 (distributed among all <br />departments). <br />Backflow Tester Certification class $3,600 (budgeted for 3 employees). <br />Various new IT Training/Education $3,000. <br />Human Resource Training $2,000. <br /> <br />As previously discussed, the Dues & Subscriptions - Fees budget has a 67% increase. This <br />increase is mainly due to additional expenses of $110,000 related to bonding for the new field <br />services building. The other increases are very minimal with nothing being noteworthy. <br /> <br /> <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />Proposed 2021 Annual Business Plan <br />o 2021 Budget <br />o 2021 Schedule of Rates & Fees <br />______________________________________________________________________________ <br />Page 2 of 2 <br />74 <br />