Metcom presents FY2015 capital plan; commissioners question cost increases and St. George’s Park funding

St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission (Metcom) staff presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2015 capital-improvement budget and five-year capital plan to the county commissioners on April 8 and described projects, estimated costs and proposed rate changes.

Metcom staff said the FY2015 capital plan totals about $29 million for that fiscal year and roughly $298 million across the five-year window included in the packet. Becky Schick, Metcom chief financial officer, told commissioners the draft budget relies primarily on loans with some reserve funding and that projected debt and rates reflect assumptions about the number of new connections (EDUs) and the portion of costs attributable to new versus existing customers.

Why the budget matters Metcom staff proposed rate and connection-fee increases that would affect new-connection costs and monthly charges. Schick said the proposed system improvement charge for a residential water equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) in FY2015 would be $9.27 (up $0.99) and the sewer improvement charge $14.46 (up $0.85). The proposed one-time capital contribution (connection) charge for water was $7,052 (an increase of $2,940) and sewer $4,951.14 (an increase of $1,238.33), for a combined capital contribution charge of about $12,003 per EDU (presenter’s figures).

Staff described project priorities and changes Metcom Administrator (presenter) said staff revised cost…