FY2014 Recommended Budget - City of Surprise

Public Works
Wastewater Operations Fund
Fund Description
The wastewater operations fund is established as an enterprise fund to account for the provision of
wastewater services for the users and to protect the city and its residents from exposure to health related
diseases and issues caused by inadequately treated sewage. The fund is used to plan, design,
implement, operate, and maintain the city’s wastewater infrastructure in a cost effective and efficient
manner. The Public Works Department strives to satisfy all federal, state, county, and local agency
permits, regulations, and requirements related to the treatment of wastewater and use of the subsequent
effluent. The department is also responsible for the planning, implementation, operation, and
maintenance of the city’s wastewater facilities and pipes.
Primary Functions
• Operation and maintenance of the wastewater collections pipeline infrastructure systems
• Participation in development reviews and management and planning of architectural
and engineering design and construction of city capital projects
• Operation of centralized call center to provide efficient customer services
• Provides utility locating services to ensure legal compliance with the Arizona Blue Stake laws
requiring facility owners to accurately mark underground facilities within specified time frames
• Ensures environmental regulatory compliance wastewater treatment and aquifer protection, bio-
solids, pretreatment, wastewater quality control and assurance, and data administration
Divisions
Administration - Maintains all the centralized administrative functions
Operations - Management and operation of City reclaimed water system; Management and
operation of City wastewater treatment and sewer collection system.
CIP – Utilities - Responsible for city related sewer infrastructure construction projects and utility
Locating and blue stake activities.
Customer Service - Responds to customer’s wastewater service requests, complaints and customer
needs
Collections - Responsible for all the day-to-day operations and maintenance activities for the
wastewater collection system
Utility Locating - Performs utility locating - blue stake activities
Environmental - Assures all regulated PW operations remain in compliance with all federal, state,
county and city regulations, and hazardous materials management for all
wastewater operations.
Major Budget Changes
The FY2014 budget decreased by 13% from the FY2013 amended budget. The decreases in personnel
expenditures are due to the movement of positions formerly funded directly by water, wastewater, and
solid waste operations being moved back to the general fund for FY2014. Instead of direct funding, the
cost of these positions will be recovered through the city’s indirect cost allocation plan. These decreases
were offset by a 3% increase in the employer contribution for the Arizona State Retirement System and a
2.2% increase for a cost of living adjustment. Additionally, a utilities technician position was reclassified
as a maintenance and operations technician.
Supplies expenses decreased by 2% for operational supplies, furniture/equipment, and chemical
supplies. The decreases were offset by increases in fuel charges and auto parts/lubricants.
Services expenses increased by 9% in professional services for biosolids study, chlorine generation unit,
and disinfection byproduct reduction, electricity rate changes, machinery maintenance for equipment
maintenance for water tank repair, water service billing contract relating to a reduction in miscellaneous
charge billings, repairs to rehabilitate two wet wells at plants one and two, removal and replacement of
manhole at intersection of Citrus and Peoria, travel/training, and developer reimbursements. The
increases were offset by decreases in water charges for conversion of SPA 1 to utilize plant water for
processes, wastewater billing contract, and equipment crane rental for SPA 2.
Under capital, expenditures include a disinfection byproduct reduction, SPA 1 WRF stabilization and dust
control, SPA 1 sludge gate/wet well repairs, wet wells re-coating, site and security improvements, convert