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SFPUC adopts largely flat $697.8 million budget, approves capital plan and efficiency strategy
Summary
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission adopted a combined FY2009–10 operating and capital budget totaling $697.8 million, approved a 10‑year capital plan and accepted efficiency and strategic plans, while directing staff to bring supplemental appropriations for wastewater and the automated meter project before June 30.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on Feb. 10 adopted a combined operating and capital budget for fiscal 2009–10 that holds net change to roughly $4 million year‑over‑year, bringing total proposed sources and uses to $697.8 million.
Todd Reitz, assistant general manager and chief financial officer, said the operating budget before the commission is $577.1 million and the capital budget $120.7 million, and noted $20.6 million of new proposals are already included in the package. “The proposed budget is meant to be flat year over year with sources increasing $4,000,000 and uses increasing $4,000,000,” Reitz said during the presentation.
Commissioners spent the hearing clarifying several items in the package. Staff said Treasure Island operating costs are now shown in the specific operating buckets for water, wastewater and power and that $43–44 million of Treasure Island capital is shown in the capital tab. Reitz also said staff expects to return with a supplemental appropriation request before June 30 that would add about $160.4 million in pre‑July funding, mostly targeted to wastewater and to the Automated Meter Infrastructure project (AMI), for which the budget lists $40,550,000 for meter replacement.
On reserves and long‑range planning, Reitz noted the 10‑year financial plan will show reserve levels as a percent of revenues and expenditures and that the Government Finance Officers Association recommends a general reserve in the 5–15% range. Commissioners pressed for scenarios showing how reserves and debt service coverage change under different rate assumptions; staff said they would provide additional scenario testing in upcoming quarterly reports.
The commission voted to adopt the operating budget, adopt the capital budget and acknowledge receipt of the efficiency and strategic plans. The items were moved and approved by voice vote.
Votes at a glance: the commission approved the consent calendar earlier in the meeting; it later adopted the operating budget, the capital budget and accepted the efficiency/strategic plans, and asked staff to return with supplemental appropriation details for wastewater and AMI before June 30.
What’s next: staff said it will return with the 10‑year financial plan and proposed rates in April, and with supplemental appropriation language and a written response to commissioner questions about urban forestry and pest management.
