2019-20 arlington county water and wastewater utility rate ... · 3/5/2020 · water and...
TRANSCRIPT
Rate Study Overview and Update
Study Area OverviewStaff Name, Department (DEPT ACRONYM)
2019-20 Arlington CountyWater and Wastewater Utility Rate Study
March 5, 2020
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Presentation Overview1. Arlington’s Current Rate Structure2. Rate Study Overview and Status3. Questions and Answers
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Arlington’s Current Rate Structure
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Some Basic Definitions
Rate Structure Rate
A rate structure concerns how customers are charged for
services.
The rate is what amount of money is charged.
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Current Water-Sewer Rate Structure
• Current rate structure –– Bill based solely on 100% water consumption (in
Thousand Gallons (TG))– Always been Arlington County’s rate structure
• 2004 Rate Study– Proposed Changes –
• Base fee plus consumption - stabilize revenue to better reflect actual cost categories
• Irrigation rate - higher water rate & lower sewer rate for peak summer irrigating
– Based on public feedback, County Manager rejected proposed changes and remained with the current rate structure
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Rate Study Overview and Status
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Rate Study Goals and Scope
• Study will help Arlington County identify rate and fee structures aligned with the County’s financial objectives and the community’s values
• Study involves – financial planning and modeling – cost of service analysis– review of the rate structure
• Periodic rate studies (every 5-7 years) are considered industry "best practice"– Arlington's last rate study was completed in 2004
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Rate Setting Process
STEP 1: IDENTIFY FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES & CORE VALUES
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How Values Inform a Rate Structure
• Core Values included in all rate structures proposed:
– Revenue Sufficiency– Administratively Viable– Legally Defensible
• Inclusion and prioritization of Community's values affect rate structure
Equity Across Customer Categories
Rate Stability & Minimize Impacts
Simple to Understand &
Implement
Affordability
Conservation
Economic Development
Revenue Stability
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Rate Study Community Advisory Group (RSCAG)• 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)
Public Engagement
Multi-family Family Residential
Fiscal MattersEnvironmental
Vulnerable Populations(Low-Moderate Incomes, Seniors)
Development Community Large and Small
Businesses
Property Management
Single Family Residential
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Early Engagement Events• Kick-Off Event: Latino American Festival (10/4)• Community Progress Network (10/17)• Pop-ups: Immunization Clinics - DHS (10/22,11/5)• Arlington Premiere (12/4)
Community Values (Online Engagement Initiative)• Launched – December 16, 2019, Closed – January 17, 2020• Channels of Promotion - GovDelivery, NextDoor, Social Media, Website,
Inside Arlington, ArlNow• Feedback collected Simplicity, Conservation, Economic Development,
Affordability, Equity Across Customer Categories, Revenue Stability (Fixed Charges)
• Conservation - 82% of those who completed the conservation questionnaire agreed (strongly agree and agree) that conservation should be a top consideration in the rate setting process
Public Engagement
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RSCAG Prioritization and Facilitated Discussion• Meeting #3 – January 14, 2020• Not a voting exercise• Conservation and Affordability were
the most highly prioritized values
Future Engagement Events• Water and Wastewater Open House
(Community Forum)• Online Engagement Initiative on
proposed rate alternative
Public Engagement
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Timeframe Project Milestone/Deliverable Engagement
Q2:2019(Apr-Jun)
Project Initiation
Q3:2019(Jul-Sep)
Financial Review and Cost of Service Analysis
Q4:2019(Oct-Dec)
Pop-up events and round-table forum, RSCAG Meetings 1 (10/21) & 2 (11/14)
Values Feedback from Community Online Engagement Initiative: “How Should Arlington County Charge for Water and Wastewater Services?” (12/16-1/17)
Q1:2020(Jan-Mar)
Values Prioritization and Discussion RSCAG Meeting #3 (1/14)
Development of Alternative Rate Structures
RSCAG Meeting #4 (3/9)
Q2:2020(Apr-Jun)
Development of Alternative Rate Structures
RSCAG Meeting #5, Community Open House, Online Engagement Initiative, Pop-ups, Briefings
Q3:2020(Jul-Sep)
Recommendation Development and Reporting
RSCAG Meeting #6, Pop-ups, Briefings
Q4:2020(Oct-Dec)
Q1:2021(Jan-Mar)
Presentation to Arlington County Board
Project Timeline & Engagement
Q & Awater.arlingtonva.us/water-and-wastewater-utility-rate-study/
For more project information visit:
Stay engaged at:
https://engage.arlingtonva.us/