FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FY 2018 Water and Sewer Budget Approved by District Commissioners
During a regularly scheduled meeting on 11/9/17, the Birch Bay Water & Sewer Commissioners voted to approve the proposed fiscal year 2018 (FY18) budget. District Finance Director Sandi McMillan said “next year’s budget
provides our growing District with a ten year planned Capital Improvement Program and a small increase in operating expenses”. The Commissioners approved the $5.9 million budget which includes an operating expense budget of $3.5 million, capital projects of $1.9 million and scheduled debt payments of $524,000.
Some of the planned major capital projects include:
Water meter upgrade project to install automated water meters (AMR) that will allow District Water Department staff to
more efficiently read meters and alert customers to leaks. AMR will enhance design of water infrastructure which saves capital costs by diminishing unnecessary installed facilities. This project will occur over five to seven years and cost
approximately $2 million in total. The District has budgeted $500,000 in FY18 to begin this work.
Infrastructure improvements include approximately 3,000 feet of water main throughout the District. This work is
ongoing capital replacement projects and in specific areas such as Holeman Avenue and separately in an area of
Shintaffer Road. The estimated water main replacements will be approximately $300,000.
The Wastewater Treatment Plant will receive a replacement ultra violet (UV) disinfection system to meet the
continuous monitoring requirements in the Environmental Protection Agency National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System permit. The cost to replace the UV system is budgeted at $350,000.
Dan Eisses, General Manager of the District said “the District employs thirteen staff and continues to meet or exceed
all regulatory water and sewer compliance. The Commissioners and staff are what make this District run
efficiently.”
The rate increase for 2018 is recommended to be 4%, The Commissioners will vote on that at the next meeting on
12/14/2017. If passed, the basic portion of the residential water and sewer bi-monthly bill will increase from $68.10
to $70.80.