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Through the study, many of the waste generation unit (W.G.U.) amounts have been revised. The change will be implemented in two phases. Fifty -percent (50%) of the change implemented in Fiscal Year 2023/2024 and the remaining 50% in Fiscal Year 2026/2027. For example, the Residential W.G.U. is • currently 1.6. It will decrease to 1.5 in Fiscal Year 2023/2024 and then continue to decrease to its final value of 1.4 in Fiscal Year 2026/2027. In addition to W.G.U. revisions, the tipping fees have also been adjusted to account for the actual cost of disposal, types/volume of goods SWDD receives, and surrounding geographical area rates. Staff is proposing the following SWDD rates for FY 2023/2024: SWDD Rate FY 2022/23 Rate FY 2023/24 Rate Variance % Change Commercial Waste Generation Unit (W.G.U) $ 55.19 $ 63.70 $ 8.51 15.4% Residential Waste Generation Unit (W.G.U) $ 92.18 $ 100.69 $ 8.51 9.2% Equivalent Residential Unit (E.R.U.) $ 147.49 $ 151.04 $ 3.55 2.4% Readiness -to -Use Fee (W.G.U.) $ 32.84 $ 36.76 $ 3.92 11.9% Landfill Residue Disposal Fee $ 24.23 $ 49.23 $ 25.00 103.2% Number of W.G.U.'s 233,867 230,409 (3,458) (1.5)% W.G.U. = One ton of waste annually During Fiscal Year 2022/2023, Sandridge Golf Course increased the rates charged for the 9 -hole course by $2 and 18 -hole course by $4. Sandridge's rates are still lower than most courses in the area. This has proven to bring in additional income to help fund the new Clubhouse, which is slated to start construction in the upcoming fiscal year. In addition to the increased rates, Sandridge continues to see a record number of golfers. With the growing interest in the sport, along with Sandridge's notoriety, revenues are projected to continue to increase. An additional Staff Assistant III has been requested for $63,859 to assist the Golf Course Manager in operations due to the increased workload. Staff is currently engaged with ourfinancial • advisor and evaluating financing alternatives. At the appropriate time, staff will present to the Board the recommended financing. The Comprehensive Water, Wastewater, and Reclaimed Water Rate Study recommends an annual CPI adjustment to Utilities rates for the upcoming fiscal year. The maximum rate adjustment recommended is 3.0%. However, the impacts of inflation have proven a 3.0% rate increase is insufficient to sustain the costs to operate, maintain, and undertake capital improvements. Fuel, chemicals, electricity, and costly infrastructural items are increasing beyond the CPI rates. The Board approved a CPI increase of 5.5% which is expected to generate approximately $1M in additional revenue. Absent appropriate rate increases, revenues will be insufficient to maintain, operate and expand the utility system. The continued use of reserves is unsustainable. The Board approved a Utilities Rate Study and this will better inform the Board and ratepayers on the appropriate rates to ensure the enterprise is adequately and sustainably funded. County voters approved $50 million in November 2022, to acquire and preserve environmentally sensitive lands. The Board recently appointed all members to the Environmental Land Acquisition Panel (ELAP). The ELAP still needs to hold its organizational meeting and review the Draft Environmental Lands Program Guide, policies, and procedures. Recommended revisions will be presented to the BCC, and once adopted the ELAP can begin to implement program activities. This will likely take several months and the first acquisition may not occur until mid -Fiscal Year 2024. While staff met with the County's financial advisorto review funding for the program, absent having a set timeframe and given current market conditions, staff did not submit a proposed millage rate to support the debt service related to a bond issuance. If acquisition of environmentally sensitive property is required prior to next fiscal year, staff will engage the • BCC for an interfund loan and or work with our financial advisor and bond counsel to issue a bond. Thus, any imposed millage for environmental lands acquisition debt would not occur until Fiscal Year 2024/2025. 13