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<br />Methodology Element Two: Develop Cost Basis <br /> <br />The cost basis represents the total costs that the SDCs are intended to recover. The following <br />methodological issues were addressed in developing the reimbursement and improvement <br />fee cost bases: <br /> <br />· Existing System Valuation (Reimbursement Fee) - The method for valuing existing <br />facilities with capacity to serve growth. <br /> <br />· Existing System Allocation (Reimbursement Fee) - The method for allocating existing <br />system facility value to growth. <br /> <br />· Project Cost Valuation (Improvement Fee) The method for valuing future projects. <br /> <br />· Proj ect Cost Allocation (Improvement Fee) - The method for allocating future projects <br />to growth. <br /> <br />· Adjustments - Deductions or additions to the cost basis to recognize past or future <br />capital funding methods: <br /> <br />Each issue is discussed below. <br /> <br />Step One. Existing System Valuation <br /> <br />Calculation of the reimbursement fee begins with a review of MWMC's fixed asset records <br />to determine the value of the existing system. The system is valued based on the inflation <br />adjusted original cost approach. Under this approach, the original cost of existing system <br />assets is adjusted by the Engineering News-Record nationa120-city average Construction Cost <br />Index from the time of construction to estimate current values. The inflation adjusted cost <br />approach recogrpzes appreciation in the system since assets were constructed and assumes <br />that the wastewater system is maintained in perpetuity. <br /> <br />Step Two. Existing System Allocation <br /> <br />The existing system allocation methodology, for use in determining the reimbursem~nt fee <br />cost basis, is a three-step allocation process 1 comprised of the following steps, as illustrated <br />in Figure 2: <br /> <br />R-1. Allocate existing facility costs to facility process components (e.g., primary treatment, <br />secondary treatment). <br /> <br />R-2. Allocate costs by component to system capacity parameters (e.g., average flow, peak <br />flow). <br /> <br />R-3. Allocate costs to growth based on estimated available capacity by service parameter. <br /> <br />The allocation of existing facility costs to facility process components is fairly straight- <br />forward, as most projects relate directly to an individual component (e.g., secondary <br />clarifiers are a part of secondary treatment), or support the entire treatment system (e.g., <br />control systems). Existing facility costs (valued in terms of inflation-adjusted costs) by <br /> <br />1 The numbering of the steps for the existing system allocation process is preceded by an "R" to identify these steps as relating <br />to the Reimbursement Fee calculation. later processes relating to the Improvement Fee calculation are indicated by an "'" in. <br />the number sequence. <br />