BPM006379_Solicitation_Attachment_11_-_References_Water_Finance_Assistance.docx

Attachment 11 – References

ADEQ intends to conduct reference checks for accounts provided by Offerors. ADEQ may, at its sole discretion, contact additional clients not presented as references, including internal state clients. Offerors shall provide at least three (3) client references for assignments that replicate or mirror the requirements of this Solicitation. At least one (1) of the projects referenced must be related to public sector work. All references shall be for work received and completed within the last five (5) years. Include information which documents successful and reliable past performance to clients providing services similar to those detailed in solicitation Scope of Work, DO NOT include ADEQ references. One (1) page maximum per reference.

Summarize the scope and deliverables provided, including timeline and outcome. Include similar services performed s those required by this solicitation. State the name(s) of any of Offeror’s key personnel proposed in Attachment 6, who worked on this project:

The Town of Spindale, NC is a low-income small town providing wastewater service to its customers. The Town received a grant from the State of North Carolina to update its Asset Management Plan, and part of that plan effort included a rate study. Water Finance Assistance was contracted to provide that analysis. Spindale charges rates to residential, commercial, and industrial customers inside municipal boundaries and outside municipal boundaries. The analysis first found that the utility had not been in good financial health for years and had been relying on reserve funds to cover annual expenses. The analysis further found that expected future revenues from the Town’s current rates would be insufficient to cover expected future expenses. The analysis also found that Spindale serves many less fortunate families and that residential customers were subsidizing the wastewater service of industrial customers. Water Finance Assistance worked with the Town leadership to develop rate alternatives and presented them to the Town Council. This part of the project took place between October 2023 and June 2024, when the Town Council passed its annual budget including an 18 percent rate increase for the wastewater utility based on the recommendations of Water Finance Assistance. The project is close to concluding today with recommendations of future rate increases and ways to increase revenues. Glenn Barnes worked on this project.

List key Materials or Services provided.

Rate study including recommended rate alternatives Customized Excel spreadsheet rate calculator Affordability assessment Financial health assessment Multiple presentations to the Town Council

Summarize the scope and deliverables provided, including timeline and outcome. Include similar services performed s those required by this solicitation. State the name(s) of any of Offeror’s key personnel proposed in Attachment 6, who worked on this project:

Water Finance Assistance has conducted a multi-phase project with Oglala Sioux Tribe Water & Sewer (OSTWAS) to help increase utility revenues. OSTWAS is a small utility that serves one of the poorest communities in the entire United States. The utility charges a flat rate to customers. Water Finance Assistance first worked with the utility to assess its rates. The rate study found that the rates did not cover their entire cost of running the utility and would not into the future. The rate study also identified a large bill payment issue, with many customers in arrears. The utility was not allowed to shut off customers for non-payment. An affordability assessment showed that OSTWAS serves mostly less fortunate families. The initial rate study proposed a rate increase. The next year, Water Finance Assistance helped the utility leverage funds from the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program or LIHWAP to help reduce the arrearages of some of its residential customers. The utility recently received permission to raise rates and to resume shutoffs for nonpayment based on the rate study recommendations. This year, Water Finance Assistance has provided training and assistance on improving customer service response times and is assisting the utility with an application to USDA for critical rolling stock. These last two efforts are ongoing. Glenn Barnes and Elora Arnette worked on this project.

List key Materials or Services provided.

Rate study Affordability assessment Plan to increase overall utility revenues Meetings with representatives of the LIHWAP program that served the utility’s service territory Customer service training on-site Customer service plan (being finalized this week) Application materials for USDA funding (ongoing)

Summarize the scope and deliverables provided, including timeline and outcome. Include similar services performed s those required by this solicitation. State the name(s) of any of Offeror’s key personnel proposed in Attachment 6, who worked on this project:

Water Finance Assistance provided in-person rate setting training to small communities in Iowa and also visited multiple communities to provide one-on-one assistance on financial capacity. There were three workshops held across the state the week of October 14, 2019. The workshops included sessions on measuring financial health, funding infrastructure, and rate setting. Representatives of funding programs including USDA and SRF also presented at the workshops. The workshops included several hands-on exercises to help attendees learn material by doing. Water Finance Assistance was responsible for creating and delivering the workshop content, securing outside speakers, and helping to market the events. That same week, Water Finance Assistance visited two small communities that had attended the workshop to help them with their specific financial capacity needs, including measuring their financial health and setting rates. There were 50-60 attendees at the three workshops in total. Glenn Barnes staffed this effort.

List key Materials or Services provided.

3 full-day workshops across Iowa Handouts and materials distributed to attendees Resources on funding programs distributed to attendees In-person visits with two small communities that attended workshops to discuss their specific financial capacity needs

Request for Proposal

Solicitation No. BPM006379

Capacity Development/Technical Assistance to Small Public Drinking Water Systems Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) 1110 W. Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85007

Solicitation Attachment – References | Revision No. 1 | Revised 11-22

Solicitation Attachment – Method of Approach | Revision No. 1 | Revised 11-22 image1.jpg