Location: Milton Fire Station; 47 Bombardier Road, Milton, VT

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.

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: The SWEFC, SU-EFC, and NEEFC teams

TCHs: This training has been approved for 6 Drinking Water Training Credit Hours by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation

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