Utility Financing Confusion

by Francine | Jul 16, 2009 | Fiscal Planning & Rate Setting

This article explores customer misunderstanding of utility financing and the problems that can cause for utility managers.

Communicating on Drought Surcharges

by Francine | May 16, 2009 | Fiscal Planning & Rate Setting

This paper contains results from focus groups and interviews to gauge common themes of customer and City Council member perspectives on hypothetical drought surcharges in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Insight from this research can help utilities in their...

Beyond the Operating Ratio: Using Financial Statement Analysis to Assess Fixed Capital Investments

by Francine | Apr 16, 2009 | Fiscal Planning & Rate Setting

Current practice among investors, policy makers, and industry groups for identifying the condition of physical capital in water and wastewater utilities includes the use of several key financial ratios, such as Operating Ratio, Age of Plant, Fixed Asset Turnover and...

Enhancing Performance of Small Water Systems through Shared Management

by Francine | Apr 16, 2009 | Managerial & Financial Leadership, Water System Collaboration

This paper explores enhancing performance of small water systems through shared management by identifying opportunities to enhance management capacity for small community water systems through cooperative (shared) management. This paper provides a background on...

The State of Full Cost Pricing: Full Cost Pricing Among Public Water and Sewer Utilities in the Southeast

by Francine | Oct 16, 2008 | Fiscal Planning & Rate Setting

This article provides an examination of “full cost pricing” practices using rates, revenues and expenditures data for nearly 900 utilities in Georgia and North Carolina, results of focus groups and communications with technical assistance providers on...