[twoplanekid]

Does anyone know what they are talking about?

Agenda items for Monday's NSCUDD meeting

"5.A. Adoption of Resolution 2023-11 Amending and Restating Chapter II of the District's
Rule
A. Overview of Resolution 2023-11
B. Open Public Hearing
C. Close Public Hearing
D. Adoption of Resolution 2023-11 Amending and Restating Chapter II of the District's
Rule

5.B. Adoption of Resolution 2023-12 Amending and Restating Chapter III of the District's
Rule
A. Overview of Resolution 2023-12
B. Open Public Hearing
C. Close Public Hearing
D. Adoption of Resolution 2023-12 Amending and Restating Chapter III of the District's
Rule"

[UsuallyLurking]

You have to dig into the agenda packet to get the full details. Basically, the rules referred to cover basic policies/procedures the district has to follow, in this case for water and wastewater rates (Chapter II) and irrigation water (Chapter III). Changes of such procedures requires formal public hearings (witnesses have to be sworn in and all that), so that is why this part of the agenda is so busy. I personally am not affected by this (my neighborhood is one of the rare ones where water/sewer is covered by Marion County utilities), so I haven't been paying attention to what has been going on, but it sounds like this will be addressing what costs will be to ratepayers, so this meeting is an important one for residents in the NSCUDD area.

[twoplanekid]

A vague way of saying

"The Board approved a 10% adjustment to be effective
April 1, 2023 but no future increases were approved. Without approval of additional
increases, the District cannot plan or execute a 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan
without known revenue, nor can CSU/SWCA meet debt coverage requirements. At this
time, staff is requesting NSCUDD approve rate adjustments that can be incorporated
into the FY23-24 Budget preparation process as well as preparation of a 5-Year Capital
Improvement Plan. The requested amendment to the Rule would set annual increases
of 10% for years 2 and 3 and 3% increases for years 4 and 5, effective October 1st of
each year. Page 155 of 254"

At this board meeting, we are to discuss the budget for next year which we discuss in detail and usually takes up the one whole meeting time.

And, we will discuss and maybe approve the new policy on high water usage billing charges.

Plus discuss reducing the number of board meeting per a suggestion by staff.

Then discuss and maybe approve a new water rate structure for the CSU area of operation which is CDD 9,10 and 11.

And then there is more to talk about between board members as we can only talk about board business at a board meeting!

I believe we have way too much on the agenda to properly discuss at one board meeting. But then, I am only one board member and staff sets the agenda. We, board members can only add items to be discussed.

[Bilyclub]

I know you probably can't answer this, but has there been any answers as to how the plant need millions in improvements when the appraiser several years ago said it was in A1 condition ?

[Bill14564]

Which agenda item involves a new water rate structure? I see the two for increases but I don’t see one that mentions a new structure.

[UsuallyLurking]

Originally Posted by twoplanekid

A vague way of saying

"The Board approved a 10% adjustment to be effective
April 1, 2023 but no future increases were approved. Without approval of additional
increases, the District cannot plan or execute a 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan
without known revenue, nor can CSU/SWCA meet debt coverage requirements. At this
time, staff is requesting NSCUDD approve rate adjustments that can be incorporated
into the FY23-24 Budget preparation process as well as preparation of a 5-Year Capital
Improvement Plan. The requested amendment to the Rule would set annual increases
of 10% for years 2 and 3 and 3% increases for years 4 and 5, effective October 1st of
each year. Page 155 of 254"

At this board meeting, we are to discuss the budget for next year which we discuss in detail and usually takes up the one whole meeting time.

And, we will discuss and maybe approve the new policy on high water usage billing charges.

Plus discuss reducing the number of board meeting per a suggestion by staff.

Then discuss and maybe approve a new water rate structure for the CSU area of operation which is CDD 9,10 and 11.

And then there is more to talk about between board members as we can only talk about board business at a board meeting!

I believe we have way too much on the agenda to properly discuss at one board meeting. But then, I am only one board member and staff sets the agenda. We, board members can only add items to be discussed.

A good-government suggestion: suggest that for next year that there be a separate budget workshop meeting (done by some of the other districts).

[tophcfa]

The agenda should be simplified so everyone can understand what is really happening.

AGENDA ITEM

1A - Screw over the ratepayers because someone has to make up for NSCUDD significantly overpaying for assets.

[twoplanekid]

Originally Posted by UsuallyLurking

A good-government suggestion: suggest that for next year that there be a separate budget workshop meeting (done by some of the other districts).

For the last 4 years that I have served on this board, we would always have a separate budget workshop meeting. Now, staff suggests that ->

"Currently Board Meetings are scheduled each month.
• On average, two to three meetings are cancelled each year (if approved)
due to no business to come before the Board for action.
• Staff has reviewed the timing of contracts and legal obligations of the
Board to propose an adjusted meeting schedule.
• Based on this review, there are a minimum of six (6) mandatory meetings
that must take place; however, Staff is recommending a set schedule with
seven (7) meetings annually."

My reply was this ->
"Many years ago when Janet Tutt was the District manager, I would occasionally attend the welcome Wednesday meeting as a Village resident to hear the latest news and ask questions. I was amazed that she and many other staff leaders would attend this meeting to let the average Villager personally meet those in charge. On the other hand, also I felt that it might be a slight waste of time for this leadership team to conduct these meetings for so few who were in attendance. One of the first things Richard Baier did was to end this type of meeting.

I understand that as the Villages add more CDDs, the way staff handles the management of all of the CDDs must change. Staff doesn’t have the time to personally attend all of the meetings and then still have the time to do what they must do to fulfill their job responsibilities. I get it, things must change.

Now, I am an elected official on a Village CDD board who meets with staff to conduct official business. Based on my previous four years of serving on this board, I would like to see us spent more time at board meetings rather than less. The operations of NSCUDD have grown over 30% since I first became a member. This board has a budget and serves more customers than 5 or more residential CDDs put together. To fulfill our obligation to the public, this board needs to expand our activities not reduce them.

I would recommend that the Utility Operations manager position be elevated to that of an assistant district manager and be the engagement person for staff with both the NSCUDD and WUDD boards. I question why so many staff department heads need to attend all of our board meetings. One board meeting a year should be devoted exclusively to upgrade/training the whole board in detail on one specific NSCUDD operation. If we can’t establish a sub committee to review very large and expensive projects before being presented to us for approval, then we need more time to do so at board meetings. For us to have fewer meetings is not the way to go.

The loss of few hundred dollars for my attending fewer meetings is not what I am talking about. I understand that changes must take place but would also like to see some consideration made by staff of the wants and needs of this elected NSCUDD board to help us better sever our constituents. "

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

At this time, staff is requesting NSCUDD approve rate adjustments that can be incorporated into the FY23-24 Budget preparation process as well as preparation of a 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan. The requested amendment to the Rule would set annual increases of 10% for years 2 and 3 and 3% increases for years 4 and 5, effective October 1st of each year. Page 155 of 254"

The math:
If my water bill is $50/month, it'll now be 50+10% = $55/month for year 2, and then 55+10% or $60.50 for year 3. Then, 3% + $60.50 = $62.31/month for year 4, and then $64.18/month for year 5. That nets a 22% increase over a 5-year period, paid every month. It doesn't sound like much but $14.18/month during the 5th year over the original $50/month, multiplied by every household that has to pay - what is that, 50,000 households? That's $700,000 per year INCREASE over the previous year. For upgrades? So when those upgrades are completed, will you be reducing the price? Or will it continue to be almost 22% higher than it was when you started the increases?

[twoplanekid]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

The math:
If my water bill is $50/month, it'll now be 50+10% = $55/month for year 2, and then 55+10% or $60.50 for year 3. Then, 3% + $60.50 = $62.31/month for year 4, and then $64.18/month for year 5. That nets a 22% increase over a 5-year period, paid every month. It doesn't sound like much but $14.18/month during the 5th year over the original $50/month, multiplied by every household that has to pay - what is that, 50,000 households? That's $700,000 per year INCREASE over the previous year. For upgrades? So when those upgrades are completed, will you be reducing the price? Or will it continue to be almost 22% higher than it was when you started the increases?

Please note that a starting year one 10% increase was applied to your April 2023 bill. So, for the next 4 years staff is asking for a 10%,10% 3% and then another 3% in the 5th year. Total over the 5 year period is more than a 22% increase.

stated by me at the March NSCUDD board meeting:

"Many figures were presented that show our current CSU rates compare favorably to rates used by many other municipalities in Florida. However, why weren’t the rates of our almost identical NSU system compared to CSU out to the 5 year time period? Maybe because it would show that CSU residents would be paying 45% more than our NSU customers. "

[LuvtheVillages]

Originally Posted by twoplanekid

A vague way of saying

"The Board approved a 10% adjustment to be effective
April 1, 2023 but no future increases were approved. Without approval of additional
increases, the District cannot plan or execute a 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan
without known revenue, nor can CSU/SWCA meet debt coverage requirements. At this
time, staff is requesting NSCUDD approve rate adjustments that can be incorporated
into the FY23-24 Budget preparation process as well as preparation of a 5-Year Capital
Improvement Plan. The requested amendment to the Rule would set annual increases
of 10% for years 2 and 3 and 3% increases for years 4 and 5, effective October 1st of
each year. Page 155 of 254"

At this board meeting, we are to discuss the budget for next year which we discuss in detail and usually takes up the one whole meeting time.

And, we will discuss and maybe approve the new policy on high water usage billing charges.

Plus discuss reducing the number of board meeting per a suggestion by staff.

Then discuss and maybe approve a new water rate structure for the CSU area of operation which is CDD 9,10 and 11.

And then there is more to talk about between board members as we can only talk about board business at a board meeting!

I believe we have way too much on the agenda to properly discuss at one board meeting. But then, I am only one board member and staff sets the agenda. We, board members can only add items to be discussed.

Staff should absolutely be able to prepare a 5 yr capital plan. It should be based on currently approved revenue. Then, operating managers can list additional projects they would like to see, and estimated cost of each. Then the Board can evaluate and approve the projects they are willing to pay for with increased rates.

Which raises the question - when the utility was purchased from the developer, the price was based on net present value of the revenue stream. Wasn’t a fund negotiated for replacement reserve? This reminds me of the lawsuit that CDDs 1-4 brought (and won!) against the developer because no allowance for replacements was included in the purchase of amenity assets.

The wear and tear/depreciation that the utility’s assets experienced while owned by the developer should have been set aside, reducing the purchase price, and available now for capital projects.

[twoplanekid]

At today's board meeting, the NSCUDD board approved a 10% rate increase for CSU/SWCA (CDD9,10,11) for next year and then another 10% increase for the following year. Then, maybe zero increases for the remaining two year for this 5 year budget forecast. It's more than I favored but less than staff and a rate consultant recommended. They wanted a forecasted 3% increase in both year four and five.

I did not approve of the purchase of CSU and SWCA at the priced paid because of the procedures used and the figures presented.

[rogerk]

Go to the agenda on the web site and you can see all the details ! No opinions or potentially biased answers

[twoplanekid]

Originally Posted by rogerk

Go to the agenda on the web site and you can see all the details ! No opinions or potentially biased answers

I always encourage residents to attend NSCUDD meetings and read the agenda as found on the district web site!

VCDD Meetings/Agendas

[mark100]

Originally Posted by twoplanekid

Does anyone know what they are talking about?

Agenda items for Monday's NSCUDD meeting

"5.A. Adoption of Resolution 2023-11 Amending and Restating Chapter II of the District's
Rule
A. Overview of Resolution 2023-11
B. Open Public Hearing
C. Close Public Hearing
D. Adoption of Resolution 2023-11 Amending and Restating Chapter II of the District's
Rule

5.B. Adoption of Resolution 2023-12 Amending and Restating Chapter III of the District's
Rule
A. Overview of Resolution 2023-12
B. Open Public Hearing
C. Close Public Hearing
D. Adoption of Resolution 2023-12 Amending and Restating Chapter III of the District's
Rule"

Call the District Office at: 352-751-3939 to get an accurate understanding of the above.