FYE 14 Budget prelim - City of Norman

Tax and ratepayer revenues. Financing the portion of the improvements to be paid fromthe sewer rate base will require a rate increase, estimated at 35 percent, which isprogrammed to be in effect at the start of fiscal year 2014-2015. There have been noincreases to Norman’s basic sewer rates for over 18 years.When the programmed disinfection improvements to the WRF are completed (scheduledcompletion is in the fall of 2015, with entire facility completed in late 2016), theprojected treatment capacity needs of the Norman sewer system will be met forapproximately 20 years. Further, the WRF will be positioned to produce treated sewageof a sufficient quality to serve irrigation and industrial purposes (i.e., cooling towers, etc.)for major commercial customers in the vicinity of the WRF. Providing reclaimed waterfor these irrigation and industrial purposes will save substantial and valuable drinkingwater for the customers of Norman’s Water Utility.Norman Sanitation UtilityThe Norman Sanitation Utility provides automated municipal solid waste collection,transfer and disposal customers for City customers. The Utility also provides curbsideand bin recycling programs, yard waste collection and composting services, bulky itempickup and participates in a household hazardous waste disposal program.In April, 2013 the Norman Municipal Authority entered into a new contract for curbsiderecycling services that will provide for “single-stream” polycart removal services on a biweekly(once every two weeks) basis. The single stream services will eliminate the needfor collection agents to separate differing types of recyclables at the residence, and willallow for an expansion in the types of material that can be accepted for recycling. Theseservices will be provided without the need for a rate increase.Norman Stormwater UtilityIn November, 2009, the City of Norman completed a Stormwater Master Plan to providefor improved flood control, ongoing street drainage, floodplain and floodwaymaintenance enhancements, and improved water quality in receiving streams. It isanticipated that the City of Norman may consider forming a Stormwater utility to providefunding for the capital facilities and operational needs identified in the StormwaterMaster Plan.CAPITAL BUDGETDetailed information on individual capital improvement projects is given in the FYE2014 Capital Improvements Project (CIP) Budget document. Pursuant to voter-approvedordinances, seven-tenths of one percent (0.7%) of sales tax revenue is dedicated forcapital improvements, and this is the primary source of revenue for the Capital Fund. Byxiii