Title
Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-298; An Ordinance Amending Chapter 40, Article III, Sections 40-201 and 40-202 of the Code of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos Pertaining to the Sewage Service Rate Schedule and Determination of Charges
Recommended Action
I introduce, without prejudice, Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-298; An Ordinance Amending Chapter 40, Article III, Sections 40-201 and 40-202 of the Code of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos Pertaining to the Sewage Service Rate Schedule and Determination of Charges, and ask staff to assure that it is published as provided in the County Charter.
Utilities Manager Recommendation
The Utilities Manager recommends introduction of the ordinance as presented.
Board, Commission or Committee Recommendation
The Board of Public Utilities recommends introduction of the ordinance as presented.
Body
The ten-year forecast for the sewer utility presented with the FY2020 budget included a series of incremental rate increases to generate revenues needed for current operations and to build cash reserves necessary for future infrastructure needs. In 2016 several alternative long-term scenarios were prepared by staff and presented or Board consideration. After discussion, scenarios were selected that represent the most reasonable balance between increased rates and necessary system expenditures and have been the foundation upon which the ten-year budgetary projections have been based. That approach helps consumers adjust to increasing costs over time but provides adequate funding for planned initiatives in each year. The rate trajectory was considered in the long-range proposals discussed in 2016 and has been reviewed and adjusted each year since. There have been some opportunities taken advantage of, such as the refinancing of existing debt for the Los Alamos Treatment Facility and the one-time transfer of excess funds from the gas utility to the sewer utility...
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