102
Adopted FY 2014-15 Budget
Infrastructure - Water Resources Fund
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
The Water Resources FY 14-15 Adopted Budget is increasing by $5,891,404, or 5.82%, as compared to
the FY 13-14 Adopted Budget.
The FY 14-15 Adopted Budget does include a rate increase for Water Resources. The rate increases by
4% for residents inside city limits, and 8% for residents outside city limits. This rate increase would mean a
$1.48 increase per month for city residents and a $6.79 increase per month for non-city residents (average
residential bill is calculated at 6 units; 1 unit = 748 gallons).
This budget increases the transfer to the Water & Sewer Capital Improvements Fund account by
$3,580,339, or 19.12%. This transfer totals approximately $22.3 million for the FY 14-15 Adopted Budget.
These funds will be used to improve the City’s water and sewer system, which includes rehabilitating older
water and sewer lines.
Four additional water plant operator positions were added midyear at the City’s Townsend Water Plant in
FY 13-14. These four FTEs are being hired due to a rise in workload, which is associated with increased
water compliance standards. In addition, the new positions will help to increase safety and security for
current plant operators who currently work alone during night and weekend hours — the plant operates 24
hours a day/7 days a week.
The department will also add a new administrative assistant, two crew members and a crew supervisor,
and an engineering specialist for a total of 5 additional FTEs recommended through service
enhancements. The administrative assistant will assist the water meter shop with compliance and
management of the Cross Connection Prevention Program. The new water maintenance crew will allow for
additional sewer maintenance work, and will continue improvements to the sewer system. The
engineering specialist will allow for increased response for plan review and internal technical support for
the sewer rehabilitation and collection systems.
Please see the graph on the next page for average rate comparisons with comparable water/sewer utilities
in the State of North Carolina. In addition, the graph shows a comparison of each North Carolina city/
regional utility’s outside city rate vs inside city rate. The graph legend explains the shades of the graph
bars when it comes to its relationship between outside city rates vs. inside city rates. A dial is also included
showing affordability of the rates based on the Median Household Income (MHI) and percentage spent
annually on water bills for 5,000 gallons.
BUDGET SUMMARY
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
2015-16
Actual
Budget
Adopted
Projected
Expenditures:
Personnel Costs
18,626,485
20,271,686
20,735,097
21,592,614
Maintenance & Operations
70,482,879
79,681,680
85,482,363
91,257,987
Capital Outlay
397,270
1,287,190
914,500
1,025,500
Total
89,506,634
101,240,556
107,131,960
113,876,101
Total FTE Positions
320.125
322.375
331.625
331.625
Revenues:
Water and Sewer Services
83,773,613
87,505,585
89,977,697
95,131,191
Assessments
48,925
50,000
50,000
50,000
Capacity Use Fees
1,691,562
2,000,000
2,000,000
2,000,000
Industrial Waste Control
1,115,937
1,100,000
1,100,000
1,100,000
Water Line Connections
153,437
150,000
150,000
150,000
All Other
2,749,740
2,376,269
2,448,519
2,462,519
Appropriated Fund Balance
11,354,521
8,058,702
11,405,744
12,982,391
Total
100,887,734
101,240,556
107,131,960
113,876,101
