4/7/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

equity review and rate study. On August 20, 1997, the RFP was advertised. Of the five responses, three were short-listed by the Utilities Advisory Committee on October 21, 1997 and on November 5, 1997, the Board of County Commissioners selected Hartman & Associates, Inc., as the number one candidate for negotiations with County staff. The enclosed Contract has since been closely negotiated, both in scope and cost and on March 5, 1998, the Utilities Advisory Committee voted unanimously to finalize and proceed with the Contract and bring the issue to the BCC for action. Page 8 of the Contract indicates payment phases and time fi-ames. The not - to -exceed amount of $82,500.00 includes completion of all seven phases and direct reimbursables of $1,465.00. (See attached breakdown of proposed fees) The Contract for Professional Services is broken up into three major Work Efforts: Work Effort No. 1 involves rate equity evaluation which includes the evaluation of the existing rates for equity between all customer classes. The rate equity analysis will involve the gathering of all existing data and the analysis of billing system records to determine consumption among user classes, analyzing existing and suggested land uses not currently in the County code, but needed for rate equity determination and recommendation. This Work Effort will terminate with a customer and ERU analysis workshop held before the Utilities Advisory Committee and the BCC, jointly, to receive comments and obtain direction for WorkBffort No. 2. Work Effort No. 2 involves the development of the rate architecture which will include projections of fiscal requirements, rate methodologies and cost allocation analysis. Work Effort No. 2 will also include the analysis of miscellaneous charges (i.e., impact fees, assessments) and all other charges applicable to adequate cost recovery of the Utility. Work Effort No. 2 will end with a suggested rate design which will include a comparison to the rate design of neighboring utilities. A public workshop will be held with the Utilities Advisory Committee and the BCC to discuss the rate architecture and to receive public input. Work Effort No. 3 is the rate plan implementation phase which will include the finalization of a computer model, the drafting of a new rate ordinance with public presentation and employee braining on the computer model. The duration of the project from Contract execution to public hearing is 300 days with a final completion of 345 days. Section 6 - Additional Work includes a provision that allows the Director of Utility Services to authorize additional work in an amount not to exceed $5,000.00. The intent of this authorization is to allow for an increase in public involvement by the Consultant, should the number of meetings exceed those allotted in the task orders (three workshops/presentations). In addition, this will allow any minor, unforeseen work efforts to take place without interrupting the rate study process. Other important provisions in the contract include the duration of the contract (3 years) and the prohibition of subletting (Section 14), except by written consent of the County. The Departments of Management and Budget and Risk Management as well as the County Attorney's office have reviewed the enclosed Contract and commented on its content, with all comments being incorporated The staff of the Department of Utility Services recommends execution of the Water/Wastewater, Reclaimed Water and Sludge Rate Study, Professional Services Contract and requests authorization for the Department to proceed with the rate study project. April 7,1998 58