Location: UNM Rio Rancho (Room 2221); 2600 College Blvd NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144

Description: Ensuring public health and safety for your customers and the environment isn’t just about managing pumps and pipes––utility staff and managers also need to look at their system as a financial entity and learn how to successfully communicate information about rates, budgets, and capital improvements to their boards or governing bodies. This workshop will introduce systems to the basics of rate setting, the importance of budgets, methods of communicating financial information to boards, and tools for assessing financial health. The training will also engage attendees in an interactive “Rates Jeopardy!” experience to make “cents” of all they have learned. It is ideal for individuals who are not currently very experienced in utility financial management, or those who need a refresher on the concepts. Anyone who is interested in ensuring the long-term sustainability of their water system or who communicates directly with the Board or governing bodies on matters of utility finance can also benefit.

Note: the word “water” in “water system” or “water utility” is meant to mean wastewater utility or drinking water and wastewater utility collectively if the attendee has both a water and wastewater utility. It is also important to understand the context for wastewater rate setting. While a rate can be set for a drinking water system without considering wastewater, the reverse is less true. If a wastewater utility wants to set a rate that includes any type of volumetric charge, they will need to first have drinking water information (i.e., meter readings.) It is also best to consider both drinking water and wastewater rates collectively regardless of whether volumetric or flat fees are used. For these reasons, this course will discuss both drinking water and wastewater rate setting.

Learning Objectives:

• Help attendees consider their wastewater system as a financial entity, rather than just a technical one
• Encourage attendees to consider goals and objectives when setting rate structures
• Help attendees understand that there is not “one right rate” but rather many ways to achieve the revenues needed
• Introduce basic budgeting concepts, including capital vs operating budgets
• Introduce key concepts for assessing financial performance
• Understand the role of a wastewater system board or governing body and how to successfully communicate financial information

Trainers: Heather Himmelburger, P.E., Director, and Ryan Magee, Water Utility Trainer and Specialist, Southwest Environmental Finance Center

CEUs: This training has been submitted for pre-approval of continuing education credits though we cannot guarantee it. Regardless, we will provide attendees with a Certificate of Attendance for their personal record. 

Who Should Attend:

• Managers, owners, and operators of wastewater systems with an average daily flow of less than 1 million gallons or water systems serving less than 10,000 people
• Decision-makers for water and wastewater utilities, including mayors, finance officers, utility managers, public works directors, city councilors, board members, tribal council members, and clerks
• Consultants and technical assistance providers serving water and wastewater systems