Managing a water system requires knowledge and action on financial and technical issues, as well as successful communication with the Board to receive support for key decisions involving rates, budgets, and capital improvements. This workshop will survey the basics of financial management of small water systems and provide tips for working with the Board. It is ideal for people who are not yet very experienced in utility financial management, or who are in charge of ensuring that the systems’ assets are maintained in the long-term, or who communicate directly with the Board on matters of utility finance. In this workshop, you will learn how to:

• Design appropriate rate structure
• Track and benchmark utility financial performance
• Plan for future capital costs
• Identify external funding sources (loans and grants)
• Build support from your board for decisions involving rates, budgets, and capital improvements

Trainer: Shadi Eskaf, Research Director, Environmental Finance Center at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Credit Hours: This training is approved for up to 6.0 credit hours for water system operators licensed in the state of Texas. Contact: Allison Perch, perch@sog.unc.edu Partners:             Resources: Water Finance Basics and Effective Communication Presentation Key Financial Indicators Exercise Presentation by TCEQ and TWICC Presentation by TWDB