– Vendor needs to provide water and wastewater system rate study, public outreach and education service.– To ensure clean drinking water and effectively manage the agency's sewage and stormwater systems – Review and evaluate all pertinent reports, studies, or other documents pertaining to the establishment of water and sewer assessment fees, describing current infrastructure conditions and future needs, as well as Federal and State mandates impacting Newport’s systems.– Evaluation of the Agency’s current rate models, policies, goals, and objectives of the utilities and development of a “baseline scenario” which will serve as the standard for evaluating the changes from alternative rate structures, including any changes that will result in typical monthly billings to customers– The study shall recommend rates and, if necessary, rate structures that consider and provide for the following factors:• Current and future costs of providing water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, and in accordance with established and anticipated standards, regulations, facility, and capital improvement plans.• Projected demands;• Age and condition of infrastructure and systems as identified in respective Capital Improvement Programs;• Funding requirements for all current and long–term liabilities and debt obligations;• System reinvestment equal to annual depreciation expense; and• Equitable allocation of costs to appropriate customer categories.– In consultation with Agency representatives, analyze alternative rate models for the selection of a preferred alternative by the Agency and provide supporting rationale for the selected method. It is anticipated that at least one alternative will include the formation of a stormwater utility.– Provide a comparative rate analysis to other comparable island or tourist communities.– Provide a draft written report evaluating the current fees and recommending future Rate models and implementation. The report should also include a section detailing the pros and cons of the current rate models and their functionality.– Produce a final report discussing methodologies and related fee schedules that provide for a process or method of calculating the reasonably defensible rate models for the future.– Final deliverables will include hard copy and electronic documents providing Agency personnel with the necessary guidance and procedures to modify and update the rate structure in the future.– Kickoff meeting to discuss study goals and objectives with the project team, refine scope, and review schedule milestones;– Public Workshops – Prepare for, advertise, and develop outreach materials to present and educate the public. These workshops are intended to be informational and further describe the water and WPC systems, their operational costs, water and sewer usage patterns, regulatory compliance issues, and anticipated capital improvement. The forum will also allow for public input into the process to identify key user concerns.– Final Report and Presentation of recommendations together with the delivery of the rate model tool to the Agency Council– Capability and Capacity to assist with the implementation of new rate structures, which may require the formation of a stormwater utility.
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