Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
WPCA outlines largely flat FY27 budget, flags septage economics and readies UV system
Summary
The Litchfield WPCA presented a largely flat FY27 operating budget with modest staffing reductions and higher electricity assumptions; commissioners asked for a median-based revenue method, postponed septage resumption pending a cost–benefit analysis, and noted the UV disinfection system is nearly ready for commissioning with ARPA funding.
At the Feb. 12 meeting the Litchfield Water Pollution Control Authority reviewed its proposed FY27 operating budget and related operational issues, including the economics of accepting septage and the near-completion of an ultraviolet disinfection system.
Staff reported the FY27 budget is largely flat. Professional services and labor lines were slightly reduced; electricity costs were expected to rise because of the plant’s power purchase agreement and revised solar-production assumptions (staff cited an average solar production baseline of about 25,000 kWh/month and roughly 431,000 kWh/year). Through Feb. 10 the authority had spent about 48–49% of the current fiscal year budget, with some lines elevated by early purchases and encumbrances. Debt service (noted as 181,434 in the packet) remained unspent at the time of the report.
Public Works Director Raz Alexe urged the board to consider a median-based revenue forecasting method using six to eight year averages without outliers. Staff also recommended reducing projected septage revenue given current low demand and analyzing whether septage acceptance is profitable. Commissioners noted past annual septage receipts reportedly benefited fund balance by about $70,000–$100,000, but an external advisor warned septage could cost the plant money once operational impacts (chemicals, energy, sludge handling) are fully accounted for. Staff described peak septage handling capacity at about 15,000 gallons per day.
Separately, plant staff reported high sludge-volume-index values (SVI in the high 200s), elevated nitrates (about 5–8 mg/L over the past eight months) and options such as carbon addition or anoxic process changes to address denitrification performance. The board discussed consultant roles and coordination with CT DEEP; the inclusion of Woodard & Curran in scope documents appeared unclear and staff agreed to clarify communications with the state.
The UV disinfection installation was described as nearly complete with ARPA funds fully committed; startup and commissioning were scheduled soon. Commissioners asked for simplified, one-page financial summaries going forward to emphasize YTD status and exceptions rather than granular line-item detail.
The board did not adopt new budgetary commitments at the meeting; it requested further analysis and clarified that resuming septage acceptance would require a formal cost–benefit analysis and rate-setting.
