Broomfield staff report stable 2024 enterprise results, outline multi-decade water, sewer and stormwater projects and propose resident advisory committee

City finance and public works staff presented a quarterly enterprise update to the Broomfield City and County Council on May 13, 2025, reviewing unaudited 2024 results for water and sewer funds, the newly implemented stormwater fund, large capital projects through multi-decade asset plans, and next steps including a proposed enterprise advisory committee and public “utility academies.”

Graham Clark, director of finance, said the enterprise funds showed modestly favorable unaudited 2024 results: the water fund balance rose by about $600,000 and operating expenses across enterprise funds were roughly $1.1 million under budget; the sewer fund had favorable results near $1 million. Clark emphasized these variances must be evaluated in context—consumption patterns, weather and start-up costs for the utility rate assistance fund affect projections.

Public Works Director Ken Rutt and staff described system planning, asset-replacement schedules and major projects. Key points included: - Conservation and demand: staff are using updated demand forecasts and noted per-person single-family residential use estimates based on 2024 data (reported in the meeting as 110 gallons per person for single-family and 51 gallons per person for multifamily); business use is modeled per square foot (0.08 gallons/sq ft). Staff said long-term conservation has reduced per-capita usage compared with prior planning baselines. - Asset inventory and replacements: AECOM is completing an asset inventory valued at over $3 billion; Broomfield has about 22,443 water meters and staff proposed a 12-year replacement program (roughly 1,568 meters replaced in 2025 on a 12-year cycle, moving meters toward a longer-life ultrasonic device). - Waterline and collection system programs: staff outlined a 36-year plan to replace aging water mains (53.3 miles targeted; average replacement 1.48 miles/year; 2025 bids covered 1.51 miles in a Westlake/136 corridor project) and a 30-year sewer rehabilitation program (58.72 miles addressed over 30 years; 2025 program ~0.95 miles). - Treatment, storage and supply projects: treatment plant capacity currently ~26 million gallons per day (phase 1 complete); Sienna Reservoir is being converted to provide peaking storage and is projected to be available to serve peaking needs in May 2025; the Chimney Hollow (Windy Gap firming) project is expected to begin filling in July 2025; a planned Broomfield Reservoir was estimated in briefing materials at roughly $137 million (engineering update) and is being planned for construction in the 2030s. - Great Western Reservoir: staff reported structural issues (failing toe drain, aging outlet pipe, embankment deficiencies). The state engineer has classified the dam “conditionally satisfactory” and staff must address issues on an accelerated schedule (staff said next technical steps and scenario modeling will take 12–18 months; remediation options include selective repair, full dam replacement or breach and decommissioning). Sediment and radiological sampling of reservoir material is underway. - Wastewater treatment plant: phase 1 design ~90% complete; updated cost estimates placed the full multi-phase program at higher cost (staff reported a post-90% estimate near $548 million with major drivers including regulations, asset renewal and solids handling).

On customer supports, Clark reported the utility rate assistance fund (URAF) had received about 2,340 applications and staff had handled roughly 300 calls and 113 emails; combined personnel and program costs were reported near $600,000 to date and projected to rise toward $900,000–$1,000,000 over the summer.

To increase transparency and resident understanding staff proposed two engagement steps: (1) a series of “Public Works and Water Utility Academies” — facility tours and workshops at the water treatment plant (May 17), the shops (May 30), wastewater (June 7) and stormwater (June 11); and (2) creation of an enterprise advisory committee staffed by five resident members and two alternates (four-year terms for members; two-year terms for alternates) to provide input on enterprise budgeting and CIP planning. Staff recommended the committee be appointed by council and offered to return with a resolution and implementation details.

Council members asked detailed questions about regulatory drivers for wastewater costs (nutrient and temperature limits), whether meter replacement would change billed consumption, bond plans (staff expect two enterprise bond issues in the next nine months), and timing for large capital needs that generate projected negative fund balances in out years. Council generally supported forming a resident advisory committee and the public academies and asked staff to return in July with final rate recommendations, the committee ordinance or resolution and additional CIP analysis for the 5-year plan.

No formal council votes were recorded in the transcript on rates or committee formation during the study session; staff was asked to bring formal items for council consideration in coming months.