3.1 General – All Three (3) Utilities The work product must include water, wastewater and solid waste user fee studies and rate models which shall provide a framework within each study for the evaluation of rate impacts from future efforts such as treatment alternatives, environmental compliance, or other legislative mandates imposed by regulatory agencies. The professional consulting firm shall conduct but not be limited to performing the following services for each utility: • Evaluation of the City’s current policies, goals, and objectives of the utilities and development of a “baseline scenario” which will serve as the standard for measuring/evaluating the changes from alternative rate structures, including any changes that will result in typical monthly billings to customers. • Meeting(s) with City staff for determination of required data collection and analysis. • Evaluation of current rate classes, rate structure and assessment of appropriateness, examination of potential alternatives. • Determination of a monthly service charge for each utility that fully supports operations and maintenance, replacement, capital improvements, and debt service costs. • Review of projected maintenance repair or replacement costs of equipment, and machinery, and costs of materials, environmental compliance and agency permit fees etc., which will be built into the rate analysis for each of the utilities. • Supply a project schedule for developing the recommended rate structure with identifiable deliverables including any preliminary and final reports. • Provide an easy-to-use election rate model in MS Excel that may be readily controlled to consider alternative scenarios. • Provide a comparative rate analysis to at least 10 other comparable communities in Northern California, particularly the San Joaquin Valley. • Meet or confer with staff and other consultants as needed and attend all public meetings, hearing and/or work sessions with the City Council and/or Committees to present interim recommendations to obtain input.
