This presentation will cover all the financial aspects of managing wastewater or water utilities. Attendees will be provided all the essential knowledge, skills and abilities related to utility finance and budgeting, including Expenses, Revenues, Budgeting, Outsourcing, Procurement, Audits, Asset Management, and Affordability. We will also cover Operating and Capital Budgeting, Debt Service, Depreciation, User Fees, Connection or Tapping Fees, Loans and Grants, Program Budgeting and Cost Accounting, Full Cost of Service, Priority of capital projects using Business Risk, Rate tiers that benefit low use, and community assistance programs like Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).
Learning Objectives
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Understand the core principles of utility finance by identifying the key components of water and wastewater utility revenues, expenses, operating and capital budgets, debt service, depreciation, and financial reporting.
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Evaluate funding and financial management strategies by comparing user fees, tapping fees, loans, grants, outsourcing, procurement practices, and audit requirements to support fiscally responsible utility operations.
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Apply asset management and cost-of-service principles to prioritize capital investments using business risk, develop sustainable capital improvement plans, and implement full cost accounting and program budgeting.
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Develop equitable and sustainable rate structures by understanding rate design, tiered pricing, affordability considerations, and community assistance programs such as the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).
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Strengthen financial decision-making and governance by using budgeting, cost accounting, asset management, and performance-based financial tools to ensure regulatory compliance, operational resilience, and long-term utility sustainability.
Presenters:
David Busch
Keystone Alliance Consulting, Inc.
Michael Kyle
Keystone Alliance Consulting, Inc.
Cost: $49
