Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
River Falls utility reports positive electric and water balances; wastewater shows bonded biosolids expense
Summary
City staff told the Municipal Utility Advisory Board that electric and water funds were positive through August, while wastewater showed a $2.7 million bonded biosolids expense that produced a reported negative monthly figure but is not an unplanned operating shortfall.
City utility staff presented the August financials to the Municipal Utility Advisory Board on Oct. 20 and said the electric and water utilities showed positive year-to-date positions while the wastewater statement reflected a large bonded biosolids expense.
According to the report presented at the meeting, the electric utility was $286,950 in the positive as of August, and the water utility was roughly $206,000 positive. The wastewater fund showed a negative $2,581,287 on the monthly report; staff said that line reflects a $2,700,000 bonded expense for the biosolids facility rather than an unbudgeted operating deficit. With that bonded expense removed, staff reported the wastewater position would be about $178,775 positive.
Staff described the biosolids facility work as technical and nearing commissioning: electricians were wiring the dryer panel, oil tests have passed, the screw press and dryer were close to test runs and SCADA integration is underway. The staff presentation said the project remains largely within budget and predicted costs to be within roughly 1% of the bid amount.
Other finance highlights included $117,964 returned to the utility for energy programs and incentives through October, and a fall-cleanup program that served 1,191 customers. Staff also noted internal recognition: the utility received a plaque marking 125 years and employees won service awards at a WPPI event.
Board members asked budget and contingency questions; staff said they continue to monitor contract and contingency exposure and will report back as commissioning proceeds.
