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<br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />less money than anticipated, and in order to pay for that difference, it had <br />used available reserves in the Sewer Fund, which now were virtually gone. Mr. <br />Rutan asked about the amount of reserves used to make up unreceived revenue. <br />Ms. Andersen referred members to the last page of the memos, containing Table <br />4 on the subject of Rate Period Comparisons: Revenue Requirements and User <br />Characteristics. She said reserve amounts were shown as Offsetting Revenue <br />for Storm and Sanitary Sewer estimates, for an average amount of about <br />$270,000 per year. She added that remaining reserves now were about $100,000. <br /> <br />Mr. Holmer asked about the beginning balance on June 30, 1987. Mr. Jessie <br />said the chart showing MWMC Rate Stability Reserve Projection represented the <br />regional portion of sewer charges, while the Rate Period Comparisons <br />represented local charges. Mr. Rutan recommended including those labels on <br />the information. <br /> <br />Mayor Obie noted the two-year charges for wastewater flow and asked about the <br />cost of treating that amount of water. Ms. Andersen said the cost of <br />treatment was a regional cost that was not directly related to the local rate <br />structure. She added that the local system included collection and transport <br />piping to the regional carrying system and treatment facilities. <br /> <br />Mr. Jessie reviewed Page 2 of the memo, describing service level changes as <br />contributing to the need for changing the sewer user rates. Ms. Andersen <br />added that the service level had not been increased and that no new positions <br />had been added, but that funding had been shifted from the General Fund to the <br />Sewer Utility for more specific identification. <br /> <br />Mr. Holmer asked what happened to the $100,000 remalnlng in reserves. Mr. <br />Whitlow said that had been used to help balance the General Fund budget. He <br />said similar actions had been taken with regard to the ambulance fund, adding <br />that those actions were included in the Cityls fiscal management policies. <br />Mr. Rutan asked whether the shift to the Sewer Fund would not compound the <br />fundls instability. Mr. Whitlow said it would unless rates were increased. <br />He added that other alternatives included continuing a General Fund subsidy or <br />cutting the level of service. <br /> <br />Responding to questions, Ms. Andersen said the position for Public Works <br />Administration included a half-time public information coordinator and a <br />half-time finance coordinator, both doing work largely related to sewer <br />systems and programs. She also said the engineering and design position would <br />involve front-counter work dealing with sewers, and the position for pump <br />station maintenance was needed in order to maintain pump stations in <br />residential areas. <br /> <br />Mr. Miller asked about the impact on rates if the current yearls status quo <br />were maintained. Ms. Andersen said the proposed rate increase was expected to <br />result in about $510,000 in revenue. Mr. Miller noted that the fund then <br />would have a $200,000 shortfall. <br /> <br />Mayor Obie asked about the total budget for the local system. Mr. Jessie said <br />the total budget was about $3 million for one year and about $5 million for a <br />two-year period. Staff said the fund was reviewed by Budget Subcommittees B, <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council Dinner/Work Session <br /> <br />May 11, 1987 Page 3 <br />