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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023.05.02 WUCFD Minutes ambers City of Apache Junction Arizona CityCESupChtition � 300 E Superstition Boulevard Apache Junction,AZ Special Meeting Minutes 85119 Water Utilities Community Facilities www.ajwaterdistrict.org P:(480)982-6030 District Tuesday,May 2,2023 6:00 PM City Council Chambers A. Call to Order Chairperson Wilson called the special meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. B. Roll Call Present 6- Chairperson Wilson, Boardmember Cross, Boardmember Heck, Boardmember Johnson, Boardmember Nesser,and Boardmember Soller Excused 1 - Vice Chair Schroeder Staff in attendance: Bryant Powell, District Manager Matt Busby,Assistant District Manager Jennifer Pena, District Clerk Joel Stern, District Legal Counsel Mike Loggins, District Director Charles Briggs,Water District Project Manager Stacy Ramirez, Utility Billing Supervisor Rita Vineyard, Senior Administrative Assistant Leslie DeReche, District Treasurer Connie Chow, District Controller Evie McKinney, Deputy District Clerk Al Bravo, Public Information Officer Eli Richardson, Management Analyst Rob Wisler, Management Analyst C. Agenda Items 1. 23-233 Discussion on proposed District budget for Fiscal Year(FY 2023-2024)to include proposed rates, fees, and charges applicable during FY 2023-2024 and classification and compensation plan for District employees. District Director Mike Loggins presented an overview of the proposed District budget for Fiscal Year(FY)2023-2024 to include proposed rates,fees, and charges applicable during FY 2023-2024 and classification and compensation plan for District employees. Mr. Loggins presented an overview of the current fiscal year's budget.The FY 2022-2023 budget is expected to be$13.7 million.The District is using reserves to fund some additional City of Apache Junction,Arizona Pagel Water Utilities Community Facilities Special Meeting Minutes May 2,2023 District projects including wells and booster pumps, and the pipeline that was approved in April 2023. With these additional projects, the District is projected to spend around$15 million. Mr. Loggins presented an overview of the FY 2023-2024 budget. The Water District is proposing a budget of$11 million. System connection fees and water resource acquisition fees make up a large portion of the revenue.The system connection fees will be used for upgrading the water system. The water resource acquisition fees will be used for purchasing additional water in the future.These funds are put into a saving account and are used for major projects. Expenses are made up of daily operations, debt services, capital outlay and contingency dollars for a total of$11 million.A loan from 2008 was paid off and an additional loan for the construction of the water treatment plant has approximately 5 years of payments remaining. The contingency is used for unexpected emergencies that may come up during the year. Some of the larger projects proposed for FY 2023-2024 include installation of the bi-directional pipeline from the Superstition Area Water Plant to the Apache Junction Sewer District, roll out of the new utility billing software, and a pilot study for advanced water treatment. Work continues with Salt River Project on the Verde River Sedimentation Mitigation study for a cost of$100,000 per year over the next three years, the District is currently in year three of the study. The District continues to purchase Non-Indian Agricultural water.This will occur over the next five years at a cost of$325,000 per year and the District is in year three of paying for back capital charges incurred over the last 25 years that Central Arizona Project has had the Non-Indian Agricultural water. Mr. Loggins presented an overview of the proposed rate adjustments for FY 2023-2024. For customers within the city limits this adjustment would include a 5% increase in the base rate and no change to the consumption rate or tiers for a total of 2.2%overall increase or$1.58 per month. For customers in the county area this adjustment would include a 5% increase in the base rate, 5% increase in the consumption rate and, no change to any consumption tiers for a total of 4.7%overall increase or$4.00 per month. He proposed an increase in the residential connection fees and water acquisition fees which will not affect current customers.The increases will go into effect October 1,2023. Mr. Loggins is proposing an 8.5% increase in system connection fees.The increase is based on the current consumer price index for construction.This is a one-time fee and is only for new development.These fees help to maintain the current system as well as cover costs for future upgrades.Water Resource Acquisition fees are also increasing.These fees help to pay for the purchase of water used in the District. Mr. Loggins presented an overview of the proposed classification and compensation plan for District Employees.This will include a 3.5%increase in the compensation plan and a one-step City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 2 Water Utilities Community Facilities Special Meeting Minutes May 2,2023 District increase for all employees.There is an anticipated 3.75% increase on average to health insurance premiums.This premium cost is shared between the District and the employee. Mr. Loggins presented the upcoming budget meeting schedule. The tentative budget will be presented on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, and the final budget will be presented on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Apache Junction City Council Chambers. D. District Manager Report No report. E. District Director Report No report. F. District Treasurer Report No report. G. Adjournment Chairperson Wilson adjourned the meeting at 6:36 p.m. City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 3 Water Utilities Community Facilities Special Meeting Minutes May 2,2023 District ACCEPTED THIS DAY OF 2023, BY THE CHAIR PERSON AND DISTRICT BOARD OF THE WATER UTILITIES COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT, (CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA). -�-- SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS r�20 DAY OF 12023. WALTER" HIP"WILSON Chairperson ATTEST: an0— PE4k District Clerk WATER UTILITIES COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT MINUTES CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the special meeting of the Water Utilities Community Facilities District of the City of Apache Junction,Arizona, held on the — day of 00 , n;?A�3 . I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and tha a quorum was present. Dated this c2U day of ?.c. ,a 12023. JE NI ER PEN District Clerk City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 4