MANAGER'S REPORT
05/10/24
Budget Position Report
Operational revenues for March were $124,682.18. Operational expenses were $67,796.17. In addition, we spent $5,297.99 on Capital Projects (Water System Plan) for total cash out of $73,094.16. Revenues exceeded expenditures by $51,588.02.
We contributed $61,283.33 to reserves:
Out to Capital Replacement Fund: $ 14,753.00
Out to Major Repair Fund: $ 42,330.33
Out to USDA Loan Reserve: $ 4,200.00
Treasurer’s Report: Current EOY 2023
Fund Balances:
Regular Maintenance Fund: $ 75,406.36 $ 81,720.29
Capital Replacement Fund: $ 234,128.45 $205,953.45
Major Repair Reserve: $ 969,143.79 $666,893.55
General Facilities Fund: $ 164,998.91 $162,586.55
Total Funds Available: $1,443,677.51 $1,117,154.25
Monthly Utility Totals Report.
April billing (Section 1) is $97,544.46.
Claims Request
See enclosed Claims Request Form. $25,897.13
Water Bill Appeal
John Silva, 1012 Fairway Terrace. I have included an activity report in your packets.
Central Park Mobile Home Park is requesting late fee relief. I have included an email from them in your packets along with an activity report. They have been making payments.
Receipt Register
Receipts for March according to the receipt register were $124,682.18.
IT Issues
The cybersecurity audit has been completed. The notification email indicates that no critical findings were identified. A formal report will follow.
Capital Asset Management
See comments above regarding the Capital Replacement Fund.
I am fussing about the condition of Vehicle #1 (the white service truck).
The service body needs serious attention. I am investigating the possibility of having it repaired, but I don’t hold out much hope. There is a lot of corrosion. It may well need replacement. There is a problem with the driver side door. There is some body work that needs to be done, and the interior needs attention. Refurbishing this truck could run $15,000-$20,000.
The question is to either refurbish this vehicle or replace it.
One issue is the need for the district to have at least one 4-wheel drive vehicle. The need does not come up often, but when it does, field crew uses their personal vehicles. Which is not acceptable.
If we were to replace it my inclination is to follow my current thinking by shopping for a suitable used truck, much as we did for Vehicle #4 (Big Red). Vehicle #1 would be surplused, as we have sufficient number of vehicles.
More at issue is the price and condition of available trucks. Any suitable truck with under 200,000 miles is going to be $35,000-$40,000 and may not be local and may (or may not) need repairs. Trucks over 200,000 miles seem to run $15,000-$20,000 with a probable and unpredictable need for repairs. We got lucky with our purchase of Vehicle #4. Even then, we put $15,000 into it in addition to the $7,500 purchase price. Though only about $10,000 was in actual repairs. The rest was in the trailer hitch and lights.
Very basic new trucks (2500HD) run $55,000-$60,000. That would be a truck with a service body and 4-wheel drive. There are a few advertised locally, that is, in Western Washington.
The numbers are getting squeezed.
So I need some second opinions.
Request for Public Information
We have a request. We haven’t completely pulled the approach together.
Payroll Report
In your packets.
Isolation Valves
The as-built project is underway.
Cross Connection Control
I am looking at new software to aid in this effort. Kenny and Dali have done great work in tracking down untested units and/or unknown units or hazards.
The effort has highlighted the deficiencies of the current program we use to track the assemblies and their testing. I have been researching programs and have narrowed the possibilities down to one. It is inexpensive for the general application, $995.00/year.
The one feature it has that is highly desirable is the ability to synch with our billing software. Setting that up is expensive, $5,000. But it would be highly desirable to link account numbers and ownership.
I am proposing to accept the proposal without the ability to synch with our accounting software.
Production Data
See the report. It is too early to make predictions.
Active Projects
Several projects are in process, but seem to be going slowly as preliminary work is moving forward. There is a lot on my plate and the highest priority projects get first call on my attention.
GENERATOR INVESTIGATION
My plate has been full and I have not been able to follow up with my sources.
WATER SYSTEM PLAN
This is moving along and should be complete ready for submission to DOH soon. This project has sucked up quite a bit of my time.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
Certification is due to EPA at the end of June. It is on track.
GHC TRANSIT
No news in March. This project may drag on for some few years.
REYNVAAN EXTENSION
The signed engineering contract has been forwarded to Northwest Water Systems, Inc. The project is in their queue.
SHOP FENCE
No action until Spring. We will be moving on this soon.
ACCESS ROADS
Both the North Bank and the Clemons Reservoir access road projects have been deferred. We may examine later in the year.
AS-BUILTS UPDATE
NWS was able to obtain a goodly amount of information from the county. They are also integrating information from JWM&A into their data.
They are close to the next step, which is a field survey.
ASHLEY & KAYLA
Deferred. Leaks will be repaired as found. I have a show and tell.
GENERATOR TRANSFER SWITCH
I have requested a proposal from Richie at MB Electric. No response in March.
ON-SITE CHLORINE GENERATION
In the last couple of months the cost of chlorine has jumped from $7.10/gallon to $10.40/gallon, a 45% increase.
It may be time to take a serious look at this project.
LEAD SERVICE LINE INVENTORY
I am making good progress on this project. At this stage it is primarily data collection and entry. So far, all the data we need is in district files. This project has consumed a good deal of my time.
DOLLAR GENERAL
This project is moving along quite rapidly. This project took some time as there are multiple players and there were a couple of sticky issues that needed to be resolved.
Installation is scheduled for 4/15/24.
CAMERAS
It has become apparent that we need additional surveillance cameras in the critical areas. I have contacted MB Electric for a proposal.
I haven’t seen a proposal yet.
ELECTRONIC LOCKS
First phase is completed.
We will work with these for awhile before I propose a second phase. So far I am very pleased.
Next steps may be padlocks on the Well Site gate, the Reynvaan Booster Station Gate, and the shop site gates. The padlocks we use are pretty basic and can be defeated with a basic bolt cutter. They need to be more robust.
I am not concerned about a terrorist incident. I think our size makes us unattractive to anything sophisticated. My main concern is vandalism and theft.
VAC-TRAILER
I have prepared general specifications with input from the field staff and presented them to a couple of vendors.
Prices are between $140,000 and $155,000.
MOBILE RADIOS
Awaiting one more piece of equipment to arrive at the vendor. No estimated time of delivery.
REPLACEMENT SERVICE TRUCK
See comments under Capital Asset Management.
WELL #5 REPAIR
The last of the parts should arrive at American Pump by 04/15. Repairs will take place a week or so following that.
Hydrant Maintenance
No action in March.
Leak Repairs
1120 Hill Road Service Lateral.
Rate Study
I have done considerable updating for the purposes of the Water System Plan. Sure wish my crystal ball were not so cloudy.
An assumed 5% inflation rate, which is pretty conservative for the range of products and services we use, really skates up the costs.
New Regulations
None
Newsletter
The next one comes out the end of June.
Personnel
Succession
Manager
Commissioners
I will be taking some vacation following the WASWD Conference. With the conference and vacation combined I will be out of the office from Tuesday 04/16 to Tuesday 04/23. I will be back in the office Wednesday 04/24.
Maintenance Activity:
See enclosed report.
Contractor Repairs/Assistance
None
Shop Organization
The crew is doing a good job of keeping up with the shop.
Training/Certifications
I have almost all my CEU’s. Kenny is up to date to the end of the year.
With the Warnke’s talking about retirement, we need to consider getting Kenny’s Backflow Assembly Tester certification.
I attended the 2024 Water Operators Workshop. A copy of my report is in your packets.
I will be attending the WASWD Spring Conference later this month.
Safety
We have a safety meeting every morning.
Vehicles
Vehicle #1: 2015 HD2500 Service Truck. See comments above under Capital Asset Management.
Vehicle #2: 2015 ½ Ton Pickup Truck: No Issues
Vehicle #3: 2019 ½ Ton Pickup Truck: No issues
Vehicle #4: 2008 HD3500 Service Truck: No Issues
Web Site
At this writing I have some catching up to do. Hopefully that will be done by the time you read this.
New Connections
Nothing in March
Long Distance Service Laterals
No new issues pending.
Respectfully Submitted:
Reg Hearn
General Manager