HomeMy WebLinkAboutBolton Point, Growth, Capital Projects, and 2015 Water Rate September 2014.PDFBolton Point, Growth, Capitalprojects, and 2015 Water Rate
$eptember 2014
The 2015 proposed and Commission-ap!roved Bolton Point component of the water rate is
54.35/1000 gallons, an increase over 2dt+ of 6.6Yo. ln 20L3, there was a ZTyoincrease in thewater rate that followed a period of 16 fears during which there were no rate increases and, intwo years, substantial rate decreases. {uring those years, water rates were subsidized by thefund balance {essentially the difference assets and liabilities). Following the large
2013 rate ingease, the Commission future increases to be much more in line with
increases in the consumer Price lndex (fet) trran was the 2013 increase. In 2014, this was the
case, with a rate increase of Zyo and,
for 2015, the Commission expects to
tanding the relatively high percentage increase
more frequent, but stable increases than thosethat were implemented from 1996 to L2.
The proposed 2015 rate increase
due mainly to components of the
is significantly higher than that for the Cpt. This is
over which the Commission has fittle control. These
cCImponents, which make up g5% of t
(27 total) in 2015, and retirement and
increase, include electricity, an additional pay period
th insurance costs.
The 20L5 Commission'approved budget and proposed water rate will support the addition of
an Assistant Production Manager (APM) position and new 24/7 Supervisory, Controland Data
Acquisition (SCADA) system support,are discretionary items that are highly
recommended by staff and for which th{ Commission has approved funding in ttre ZO1S
budget. The APM position will support tfre Commission's succession planning, which is
becoming increasingly important as key fnanagerial staff members approach retirement. The
addition of an APM will increase the Corf mission staff to 2L, but the production Departrnent
staffing levelwill return to the normal by attrition. The new Z4/7 SCADAsuppont is
critical because it is specific to the new SCADA software to be installed this year. The SSADA
system monitors and controls the operation of the water treatment plant and water
transmission and distribution systems of the Commission and municipalities. The currenr
support option is inadequate to meet outr ongoing needs.
The 27o/o increase in 20L3 has allowed Bdlton Point to address deteriorating and failing
infrasilucture through establishment of bn ongoing capital improvement/replacement project
fund that reduces the need to borrow foi projects . ln Zor4,the commission intends to
participate with the Village of Lansing to a section of transmission/distribution mainr
parallel to the existing transmission mairi that crosses beneath NyS Route L3 in the Village by
using this project fund without incurring
the Commission if the existing Route 13
debt. This water main would be available to
ng were to fail and necessitate a lengthy repair.
The Commission continues to study to the 10,000 gallon/quarter minimum billing
structure in order to ensure fairness and reward conservation while assuring that required
revenue is generated.
The Commission was created to
and Commissioners believe that
to meet both of those goals. For
Manager, at 607 -277 -0660.
the 2t
more
high quality water at the lowest possible cost. The staff
rate increase is necessary to ensure that we continue
please contact Jack Rueckheim, General
October l.z01tr.
The Cayuga Heights Fire Department
Auction/Fundraiser on November l, 2104
to host the Cayuga Heights Elementary School's pTA Fall
the Cayuga Heights Fire Station. As a condition for using
Cayuga Heights Fire Department as an additional insureJ forthis facility, the PTA will add the Village r
this event on its general lialility coverale.'"I,ffi/"'
Chie{ Village of Cayuga Heights Fire
Amy Schwartz
Co-President, Cayuga Heights Elementary