HomeMy WebLinkAboutProposal_RaftelisSolid Waste Rate Study
PROPOSAL / MARCH 12, 2021
San Luis Obispo City of
Raftelis is registered with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the
Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board
(MSRB) as a Municipal Advisor.
Registration as a Municipal Advisor is a requirement under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection
Act. All firms that provide financial forecasts that include assumptions about the size, timing, and terms for possible future
debt issues, as well as debt issuance support services for specific proposed bond issues, including bond feasibility
studies and coverage forecasts, must be registered with the SEC and MSRB to legally provide financial opinions and
advice. Raftelis’ registration as a Municipal Advisor means our clients can be confident that Raftelis is fully qualified and
capable of providing financial advice related to all aspects of financial planning in compliance with the applicable
regulations of the SEC and the MSRB.
Diversity and inclusion are an
integral part of Raftelis’ core values.
We are committed to doing our part to fight prejudice, racism, and discrimination by becoming more
informed, disengaging with business partners that do not share this commitment, and encouraging our
employees to use their skills to work toward a more just society that has no barriers to opportunity.
445 S Figueroa Street, Suite 1925, Los Angeles, CA 90071
www.raftelis.com
March 12, 2021
Ms. Jordan Lane
Solid Waste & Recycling Coordinator
City of San Luis Obispo
919 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Subject: Proposal for Solid Waste Rate Study
Dear Ms. Lane:
Raftelis is pleased to submit this proposal to assist the City of San Luis (City) with a Comprehensive Solid Waste Rate
and Cost of Service (COS) Rate Study. We appreciate the opportunity to submit this proposal, which details our project
approach to meet the City’s objectives as well as our qualifications and experience within the utility and solid waste
industry.
Raftelis was established in 1993 to provide financial, rate, and management consulting services of the highest quality to
utilities. Since that time, Raftelis has grown to have the largest utility rate and financial consulting practice in the country,
with over 120 consultants. Our staff has provided rate and/or financial planning assistance to over 1,200 utilities across
the United States and have conducted thousands of studies, including solid waste engagements from Key West Florida to
Anchorage Alaska. Our mission has always been focused on assisting our clients in meeting their goals of financial
viability.
Raftelis understands that the City would like to develop a financial roadmap for its solid waste collection and disposal
operations that can become a decision-support tool for City staff. One of the goals of the study is to develop a financial
plan that projects and equitably allocates future costs of providing services to current customers. In regard to the rate
design objectives we understand the importance placed by the City on promoting recycling, composting, customer
affordability, and other objectives as described within the RFP. Raftelis is uniquely qualified to serve as your expert
consultant based on our extensive experience completing many similar studies for entities in California and across the
country.
We strongly believe our team would successfully complete the study and provide significant value to the City for several
reasons, including:
• We Understand the Challenges – The City and the industry are facing a range of challenges that may be placing
increased pressure on rates from declining recycling commodity prices and increasing processing costs, increases
in contractual services, near-term impacts from changes in operations and customer demands due to COVID-19,
and the desire to maintain or improve the quality and level of service offered by communities to their customers.
Members of our project team are well steeped in the solid waste industry and have been included on this proposal
to provide technical expertise to successfully and efficiently accomplish the engagement.
• Unparalleled Experience in the State of California: Raftelis understands the complex challenges faced by
utilities in the state of California. Our consultants have a deep understanding of California regulatory
445 S Figueroa Street, Suite 1925, Los Angeles, CA 90071
www.raftelis.com
requirements and are experts at developing an administrative record that demonstrates the nexus between costs
and revenue recovery.
• Depth of resources – No firm that specializes in financial consulting for the utility industry has the staff resources
we have.
• Drive to succeed – Our project team will be focused on not only meeting, but exceeding, the City’s expectations.
To assist the City with this project, we have assembled a team with extensive experience and a reputation for quality
service. Thierry Boveri will serve as Project Manager and subject matter expert having extensive solid waste cost of
service experience, while Kevin Kostiuk will serve as the assistant project manager providing a local presence operating
from Santa Barbara. Sanjay Gaur will provide quality control and assurance as the most senior consultant on the project
team, while Charles Diamond will serve as the primary analyst supporting development of the financial model. Both
Sanjay and Charles will both be operating from our Los Angeles office.
We are proud of the resources we can offer and welcome the opportunity to be of assistance to the City on this
engagement. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 407.421.1400 or
tboveri@raftelis.com.
Very truly yours,
Thierry Boveri, CGFM Kevin Kostiuk
Senior Manager Manager
Table of
Contents
01
Submittal Forms
05
Qualifications
34
Work Program
41
Request Changes to Terms
and Conditions
RAFTELIS 1
SECTION I: PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL FORM - SAMPLE
The undersigned declares that she or he has carefully examined Project No. [xxxx] which is hereby made a part of this
proposal; is thoroughly familiar with its contents; is authorized to represent the proposing firm; and agrees to perform
the specified work for the following cost quoted in full:
BID ITEM: SOLID WASTE RATE STUDY
Total Base Price $44,565
Other $685
TOTAL $45,250
Delivery of equipment to the City to be within calendar days after contract execution and written
authorization to proceed.
Certificate of insurance attached; insurance company’s A.M. Best rating: .
Firm Name and Address
Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc.
445 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 1925, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Contact: Thierry Boveri Phone: 407.421.1400
Signature of Authorized Representative
Date March 12, 2021
SUBMITTAL FORMS
A (Excellent)
N/A
RAFTELIS 2
RAFTELIS 3
REFERENCES
Number of years engaged in providing the services included within the scope of the specifications under the
present business name: .
Describe fully the last three contracts performed by your firm that demonstrate your ability to provide the services
included with the scope of the specifications. Attach additional pages if required. The City reserves the right to contact
each of the references listed for additional information regarding your firm's qualifications.
Reference No. 1:
Agency Name City of Watsonville
Contact Name Steve Palmisano, Director of Public Works
Telephone & Email P: 831.768.3100 / E: steve.palmisano@cityofwatsonville.org
Street Address 250 Main Street
City, State, Zip Code Watsonville, CA 95076
Description of services provided
including contract amount, when
provided and project outcome
Financial planning and cost-of-service study for water, wastewater,
and solid waste
Contract amount: $152,000
Date: provide ongoing services since 2015
Full description is provided in the Qualifications section.
Reference No. 2:
Agency Name City of Ontario
Contact Name Mike Sigsbee, Utilities Administrative Services Manager
Telephone & Email P: 909.395.2653 / E: msigsbee@ci.ontario.ca.us
Street Address 1425 South Bon View Avenue
City, State, Zip Code Ontario, CA 91761
Description of services provided
including contract amount, when
provided and project outcome
Water, wastewater, and solid waste rate study
Contract amount: 51,000
Date: provide ongoing services since 2007
Full description is provided in the Qualifications section.
17 years (founded in 1993, name changed in 2004)
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Reference No. 3
Agency Name City of Monterey Park
Contact Name Tim Shay, Support Services Manager
Telephone & Email P: 626.307.1340 / E: tshay@montereypark.ca.gov
Street Address 320 W Newmark Avenue
City, State, Zip Code Monterey Park, CA 91754
Description of services provided
including contract amount, when
provided and project outcome
Solid waste rate study
Contract amount: $92,400
Date: 2017-2018
Full description is provided in the Qualifications section.
RAFTELIS 5
WHO IS Raftelis
RAFTELIS IS THE TRUSTED
ADVISOR TO UTILITIES
AND THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
Raftelis provides utilities and public-sector organizations with
insights and expertise to help them operate as high-performing,
sustainable entities providing essential services to their citizens. We
help our clients solve their financial, organizational, technology, and
communication challenges, achieve their objectives, and, ultimately,
make their communities better places to live, work, and play.
+ VISIT RAFTELIS.COM TO LEARN MORE
QUALIFICATIONS
RAFTELIS 6
THE CITY & RAFTELIS
The Right Fit
We believe that Raftelis is the right fit
for this project. We provide several key
factors that will benefit the City and help
to make this project a success.
RESOURCES & EXPERTISE
This project will require the resources necessary to effectively staff the
project and the skillsets to complete all of the required components.
With 120 consultants, Raftelis has the largest utility industry financial and rate consulting
practice in the nation. Our depth of resources will allow us to provide the City with the technical
expertise necessary to meet your objectives. In addition to having many of the industry’s leading
rate consultants, we also have experts in key related areas, like stakeholder engagement and data
analytics, to provide additional insights as needed.
DEFENSIBLE RECOMMENDATIONS
When your elected officials and customers are considering the validity and
merit of recommended changes, they want to be confident that they were
developed by experts using the latest industry standard methodology.
Our senior staff is involved in shaping industry standards by chairing various committees within
the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), American Publics Works
Association (APWA), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), and the Water
Environment Federation (WEF). Raftelis’ staff members have also co-authored many industry
standard books regarding utility finance and rate setting. Being so actively involved in the
industry will allow us to keep the City informed of emerging trends and issues and to be
confident that our recommendations are insightful and founded on sound industry principles. In
addition, with Raftelis’ registration as a Municipal Advisor, you can be confident that we are
fully qualified and capable of providing financial advice related to all aspects of utility financial
planning in compliance with federal regulations.
RAFTELIS 7
HISTORY OF SIMILAR SUCCESSES
An extensive track record of past similar work will help to avoid potential
pitfalls on this project and provide the know-how to bring it across the
finish line.
Raftelis staff has assisted 1,200+ utilities throughout the U.S. with financial and rate consulting
services with wide-ranging needs and objectives. Our extensive experience will allow us to
provide innovative and insightful recommendations to the City and will provide validation for
our proposed methodology ensuring that industry best practices are incorporated.
USER-FRIENDLY MODELING
A modeling tool that your staff can use for scenario analysis and financial
planning now and into the future will be key for the City going forward.
Raftelis has developed some of the most sophisticated yet user-friendly financial/rate models
available in the industry. Our models are tools that allow us to examine different policy options
and cost allocations and their financial/customer impacts in real time. Our models are non-
proprietary and are developed with the expectation that they will be used by the client as a
financial planning tool long after the project is complete.
Experts on California Regulatory Requirements
This expertise will allow the City to be confident that our recommendations
consider all of the regulatory requirements.
The regulatory environment in California has become more stringent due to Proposition 218. Besides
developing well-thought-out financial plans, Raftelis staff members are very knowledgeable about these
regulations and have made presentations on this subject at various industry conferences. In addition, we are
frequently called on to be expert witnesses regarding these regulatory matters.
RAFTELIS 8
RAFTELIS 9
Experience
RAFTELIS HAS THE MOST EXPERIENCED
UTILITY FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT
CONSULTING PRACTICE IN THE NATION.
Our staff has assisted more than 1,200 public agencies and utilities across
the U.S., including some of the largest and most complex agencies in the
nation. In the past year alone, Raftelis worked on more than 900
financial/organizational/technology consulting projects for over 600 agencies
in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada.
THIS MAP AND THE MATRIX ON
THE FOLLOWING PAGES SHOW
SOME OF THE UTILITY CLIENTS
THAT WE HAVE ASSISTED.
Raftelis has provided financial/
organizational/technology assistance
to utilities serving more than
25
%
of the U.S.
population
RAFTELIS 10
RAFTELIS 11
Below, we have provided descriptions of projects that we have worked on that are similar in scope to
the City’s project. We have included references for each of these clients and urge you to contact
them to better understand our capabilities and the quality of service that we provide.
City of Watsonville
CALIFORNIA
Raftelis was engaged to develop 10-year financial plans for the City of Watsonville’s (City) water, wastewater, and solid
waste enterprise funds. The goal was to develop a financial plan model that could be used as a financial planning tool to
determine the necessary rate adjustments and bond issuances for maintaining operations as well as handling several large
capital projects. For example: the City has to build several chromium 6 treatment plants in order to remain in compliance
with state mandated water quality levels. Raftelis helped the City create a financial plan to fund these expenditures with a
combination of rate increases and debt issuances. This model included three dashboards (one for each enterprise), that
can be used as a policy tool and show how changes to the financial plan affect each enterprise fund as the changes are
made.
Additionally, this model was used to develop new rates for all three enterprises for the next five years. These rates were
based on cost of service principals. The City of Watsonville adopted these rates at a public hearing on September 8, 2015.
Raftelis is currently conducting a water, wastewater, and solid was financial plan and rate study, as well as a water and
wastewater connection fees study.
City of Ontario
CALIFORNIA
Raftelis conducted a water, wastewater, and solid waste study for the City of Ontario (City). The City has a total of
33,000 accounts including 5,000 non-residential accounts and sells approximately 43,000 ac-ft of water annually.
Wastewater treatment is provided by Inland Empire Utilities Agency which also establishes a treatment charge for the
City's retail customers. The study included a comprehensive review of the City’s revenue requirements and allocation
methodology, a review of City’s user classification, a cost of service analysis, and rate design for City users. Several
recommendations were provided to improve the equity of water and wastewater charges including reclassification of
customers, modifying the tiers, etc. The resulting rates were fair and equitable and met the fiscal needs of the City’s
utilities in the context of the City’s overall policy objectives and were designed for simplicity of administration, cost
effective implementation and ease of communication to customers. Raftelis has assisted the City with updates to their
rates every two years.
RAFTELIS 12
City of Monterey Park
CALIFORNIA
Raftelis was engaged by the City of Monterey Park (City) to provide consulting services for the solid waste utility. The
City had recently negotiated contract with Athens for residential and commercial waste hauling services and with Ware
for commercial service. The City bills only the residential customers. Raftelis analyzed the City’s costs and developed
rates for both residential and commercial customers. In carrying out this study Raftelis compiled information from the
City and its private waste collection contractor, with the goal of designing fair and equitable solid waste rates for the next
five years. Raftelis processed data on customer classes, the numbers and types of cans and bins, the frequency of
collection, City administrative costs, inflation assumptions, and existing rate and cost schedules. Ultimately Raftelis was
able to calculate and recommend a new schedule of rates, as well as adjustments to the City’s billing database, which will
ensure revenue stability for the solid waste enterprise while providing service at a fair and equitable cost to residential and
solid waste customers. Raftelis also prepared the report and Proposition 218 notices for the City.
RAFTELIS 13
Project Team
WE HAVE DEVELOPED A TEAM OF CONSULTANTS WHO SPECIALIZE
IN THE SPECIFIC ELEMENTS THAT WILL BE CRITICAL TO THE
SUCCESS OF THE CITY’S PROJECT.
Our team includes senior-level professionals to provide experienced project leadership with support from talented
consultant staff. This close-knit group has worked on similar successful projects, providing the City with confidence in
our capabilities.
Here, we have included an organizational chart showing the structure of our project team. On the following pages, we
have included resumes for each of our team members as well as a description of their role on the project.
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
STAFF CONSULTANTS
Charles Diamond
Jonathan Jordan
PROJECT DIRECTOR
Sanjay Gaur
PROJECT MANAGER
Thierry Boveri, CGFM
ASSISSTANT PROJECT MANAGER
Kevin Kostiuk
RAFTELIS 14
Sanjay Gaur
PROJECT DIRECTOR
Vice President
ROLE
Sanjay will be responsible for overall project accountability and will be available
to provide quality assurance and control, industry perspective, and insights into
the project.
PROFILE
Sanjay has over 20 years of public-sector consulting experience, primarily
focusing on providing financial and rate consulting services to water and
wastewater utilities. His experience includes providing rate structure design, cost-
of-service studies, financial analysis, cost benefit analysis, capacity fee studies,
conservation studies, and demand forecasting for utilities spanning the west
coast. He has also international experience in water and wastewater rate studies,
including the country of Belize and Grenada. He has provided consulting service
to over 100 different agencies. Sanjay is considered one of the leading experts in
developing rates that meet Proposition 218 requirements, has exceptional public
speaking skills and, due to these qualities, he is often sought out to provide
assistance on rate studies that are complex and controversial. He has often
provided his insight into utility rate and conservation-related matters for various
publications and industry forums including: authoring articles in Journal AWWA;
being quoted in various newspaper articles including the Los Angeles Times and the
New York Times; participating in a forum regarding the future of water in Southern
California sponsored by the Milken Institute; being quoted on National Public
Radio; speaking at various industry conferences including American Water
Works Association (AWWA), the Utility Management Conference, Association
of California Water Agencies, and California Society of Municipal Finance
Officers; and, co-authoring several industry guide books including AWWA’s
Manual M1 Principles of Water Rates, Fees and Charges, 7th Edition as well as
AWWA’s Water Rates, Fees, and the Legal Environment, Second Edition. Sanjay co-
authored a chapter entitled, “Understanding Conservation and Efficiency Rate
Structures,” for the Fourth Edition of the industry guidebook, Water and
Wastewater Finance and Pricing: The Changing Landscape. Sanjay is also active in a
number of utility-related associations, including serving as a member of
AWWA’s Rates and Charges Committee.
KEY PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Placer County Water Agency (CA)
Placer County Water Agency (Agency) provides four major types of water
services: treated retail, untreated retail, treated wholesale, and untreated
wholesale. Given the complexity of the system, the agency has over 50 different
types of rates. The agency has evolved over the last 60 years of existence and has
acquired numerous neighboring agencies. Given the San Juan Capistrano ruling,
Specialties
•Proposition 218 rate compliance
•Financial analysis
•Cost-of-service studies
•Conservation rate structure design
•Capacity fee studies
•Cost benefit analysis
•Econometric analysis
Professional History
•Raftelis: Vice President (2015-
present); Senior Manager (2012-
2014); Manager (2009-2012)
•Red Oak Consulting, Division of
Malcolm Pirnie (2007-2009)
•MuniFinancial (2005-2006)
•A & N Technical Services (1999-
2003)
•United States Peace Corps,
Bulgaria (1995-1997)
Education
•Master of Public Administration,
Public Administration/International
Development, Kennedy School of
Government - Harvard University
(2003)
•Master of Science, Applied
Economics - University of California,
Santa Cruz (1994)
•Bachelor of Arts, Economics &
Environmental Studies - University
of California, Santa Cruz (1992)
Professional Memberships
•AWWA: Rates & Charges
Committee
•California Society of Municipal
Finance Officers
Professional Recognition
•Who’s Who in America, 63rd Edition
(2009)
•Finalist, National Venture
Competition (2003); Goldman Sachs
Foundation
•Roy Environmental Fellowship
(2002), Kennedy School of
Government, Harvard University
•Kennedy School of Government,
Harvard University Academic
Scholarship (2001-2003)
•United States Peace Corps -
Certificate of Outstanding Service
(1997)
RAFTELIS 15
the Agency was interested in consolidating and developing a clear rationale behind the complex services it provides. The
Agency sought out Sanjay to be the project manager on this significant study in redeveloping all the different water rates.
Sanjay conducted a series of workshops with Executive Management in developing a rationale and logic behind the
services it provides. The 150-page administrative record was well received by the Board of Directors and they were
pleased with this study. The new rates were approved in 2017.
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (CA)
Since 2008, Sanjay has provided financial and rate consulting services to Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
(District). This include assisting the District in adopting a controversial rate increase, the evaluation and implementation
of a water budget rate structure, capacity fees for water and wastewater services, and other financial related matters. The
District receives water from only one source, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. With the desire to
implement a water budget tiered rate, Sanjay assisted the District in establishing tiered rates that meet the requirements of
Proposition 218.
City of Santa Cruz (CA)
Since 2012, Sanjay has provided financial and rate consulting services to the City of Santa Cruz (City). This includes
developing a financial model that can evaluate different water demand factors and associated drought rates, reserve
policies, a comprehensive rate study, drought rates, capacity fees and other financial/rate matters. The drought rates
study was particularly complex. The City experienced a significant drought and had to allocate water. Water use was
already at a historical low level and residential water use was one of the lowest in California. With the desire of refunding
a debt and low commodity revenues sales, the City needed to adopt drought rates within a short time period. Sanjay was
successful in adopting 5 stage drought rates and was able to assist the City in at this critical time. Lastly, Sanjay assisted
the City in redeveloping its rate structure so that it would meet the values of the community, while remaining both be
financially sustainable and meeting the requirements of Proposition 218.
Rancho California Water District (CA)
Sanjay has provided consulting services to Rancho California Water District (District) since 2007. During this time, he
has assisted the District in the development of a water budget rate structure. The project required the consultant to
develop a flexible water budget model that could determine multiple blocks widths and allocations. The team was
successfully able to accomplish this task and assisted the District in implementing the new water budget rate structure.
The rates where successfully adopted in November 2009.
Sanjay also assisted the District in the development of a New Water Demand Offset Fee. The New Water Demand Offset
Program is a form of funding for conservation measures that will help to create sustainable, zero water footprint
development. New developments will pay fees called New Water Demand Offset Fees to create potable water savings in
the existing system to support water demand generated by new developments. Water savings can be achieved by
converting irrigation accounts to recycled water or installing high efficiency retrofits to replace inefficient fixtures for
existing accounts in the District. Lastly, Sanjay has provided consulting services on Capacity Fee studies and updating
water rates.
Western Municipal Water District (CA)
Since 2009, Sanjay has provided consulting services to Western Municipal Water District (District). Sanjay successfully
accomplished several objectives for the District including the implementation of water budget rates, which included
facilitating and leading a discussion on the policy options associated with the development of water budget rates. Based
on these policy options, a water budget model was developed that evaluated different allocation factors for indoor and
outdoor water use, determined rate components for the corresponding tiers, and developed the corresponding rates and
customer impacts.
RAFTELIS 16
In addition, Sanjay served as the project manager for the development of a financial model for the District. The model
has the capability of examining the 14 different fund centers of the District, develop and save different Capital
Improvement Plan scenarios, examine the financial consequences of these scenarios and compare the results. In addition,
the model has the ability aggregate the fund centers by water, wastewater, or by the whole District. The model is
currently being utilized by the District to examine long term health of the District.
Lastly, Sanjay conducted a Capacity Fee study for the District, which included water, wastewater, and recycled water.
The prior Capacity Fee was outdated and significant changes were required. This study included public outreach to the
Business Industry Association. Since then, Sanjay has provided assistance to the District in updating its water rates and
developing the administrative record required.
Alameda County Water District (CA)
Sanjay has provided financial and rate consulting experience to Alameda County Water District (District) since 2010.
During these years, Sanjay has been the project manager on numerous studies, including the evaluation of different types
of conservation rates, development of a 25-year financial model that assists the District in evaluating different financial
risks, development of drought rates, and public outreach to stakeholders. During these projects, Sanjay has led a series of
workshops with the Executive Management and the Board of Directors in evaluating and identifying which financial/rate
solutions meet their objectives.
East Bay Municipal Utility District (CA)
Since 2013, Sanjay has provided consulting services to East Bay Municipal Utility District (District).He successfully
accomplished several objectives for the District and served as the project manager for a comprehensive water and
wastewater cost-of-service study. The last comprehensive cost-of-service study was done in 2000. As part of the study,
Raftelis thoroughly examined the District’s cost structure, analyzed water and wastewater flow and customers data, and
evaluated alternative rate structures to develop an equitable rate structure that meets Proposition 218 requirements and
the District’s goals and objectives. One of the key deliverables was the administrative record, which is a document that
clearly explains how the rates are derived and is a critical document to support the requirements of Proposition 218.
Castaic Lake Water Agency (CA)
Castaic Lake Water Agency is a wholesale water agency that is a member of the State Water Contractor. Since 2012,
Sanjay has provided numerous consulting services including the evaluation of different types of wholesale rates, a
financial model, annexation fees, capacity fees, and other financial consulting services. Sanjay has made numerous
presentations to the Board of Directors and has secured their supports on critical matters.
City of San Juan Capistrano (CA)
In 2012, City of San Juan Capistrano (City) was in the midst of a legal lawsuit over its water rates. A group of taxpayers
sued the City over its water rates, saying they did not comply with Proposition 218. The City sought out an expert rate
consultant to assist them in developing new rates that will meet the stringent requirements of the taxpayer group and City
Council. The City hired Raftelis and Sanjay served as the project manager for this significant project. The project required
a series of six City Council Workshops, with each one lasting over 3 hours. In addition, two members of the City Council
were active in supporting the lawsuit against the City. Sanjay was successful in mustering support for the new rates and
developing the new standard associated with the administrative record. The rates were approved and the President of the
Taxpayer association expressed his support of the new rates.
City of Long Beach (CA)
In 2016, the City of Long Beach hired Raftelis in conducting a comprehensive rate study that meets the heightened
standard associated with Proposition 218. Given the large percentage of the population at the poverty rate, the City was
concerned about affordability, revenue stability due to the recent drought, and developing a strong nexus associated with
RAFTELIS 17
its water and wastewater rates. Sanjay served as the project manager and successfully assisted the City in adopting rates
that meet their requirements. Since then, Sanjay has provided financial and rate consulting services to the City, including
how to fund stormwater services.
Fallbrook Public Utility District (CA)
Fallbrook Public Utility District (District) provides water, recycled water, and wastewater services. The District has a
complex rate structure due to the fact that it provides both domestic service, special agricultural rates from the San Diego
County Water Authority, normal agricultural service, and a combination of these services to the same meter. Given the
recent lawsuit associated with San Juan Capistrano, the District was interested in developing a comprehensive rate study
that can fund a new source of water supply and cost-of-service rate study that can justify the different types of rates. In
2016, Sanjay served as the project manager on this study and was successful in developing a 180-page administrative
record that clearly explains the nexus requirement associated with Proposition 218 and the adoption of the five years of
rates.
PROJECT LIST
• City of Port Hueneme (CA) - Water and solid waste rate study
• City of Watsonville (CA) - Utility enterprise rate study (water, wastewater, and solid waste)
• Borrego Water District (CA) - Financial planning study, groundwater sustainability plan, water rate study, and basin
management evaluation
• City of Camarillo (CA) - Water and wastewater rate study, financial plan study, and cost-of-service study
• Carpinteria Sanitary District (CA) - Sewer rate and fee study
• City of Chino Hills (CA) - Water budge rate design, financial plan study and cost-of-service and rate design
• City of Chowchilla (CA) - Water and wastewater rate study
• Coastside County Water District (CA) - Water rate study
• Contra Costa Water District (CA) - Financial plan study, water rate study and drought rates study
• Cucamonga Valley Water District (CA) - Financial plan, water conservation rate study, and drought rates
• Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (CA) - Financial model, drought rate analysis, water and recycled water rate
study, capacity fee study, and wastewater rate study
• City of El Segundo (CA) –-Water and wastewater rate study
• City of Gridley (CA) - Water rate study
• Helix Water District (CA) - Water rate and cost-of-service study
• City of Hollister (CA) - Sewer rate and impact fee study, water rates study, and capacity fee study
• Imperial County Gateway County Service Area(CA) - Water and wastewater rate study
• Indio Water Authority (CA) - User fee study and water rate study
• Inyo County Water Department (CA) - Water rate study
• Jurupa Community Services District (CA) - Water budget study and water and wastewater rate study
• City of Livermore (CA) - Water cost-of-service study
• City of Livingston (CA) - Water rate study
• City of Lomita (CA) - Water rate workshop
• City of Lynwood (CA) - Cost allocation plan
• City of Malibu (CA) - Wastewater and recycled water rate study
• Mammoth Community Water District (CA) - Water rate study
• City of Merced (CA) - Water and sewer rate and impact fee study
• Mesa Consolidated Water District (CA) - Financial plan study, cost comparison study, water and recycled water cost-
of-service and rate design study
• Mojave Water Agency (CA) - Financial plan study, financial impact analysis for water exchange and leasing programs
and water reliability rate development
• Modesto Irrigation District (CA) - Stormwater fee study
• Montecito Water District (CA) - Water rate study
RAFTELIS 18
• Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (CA) - Water budget study
• City of Palo Alto (CA) - Water and wastewater cost-of-service and rate study
• City of Pleasanton (CA) - Water and wastewater rate study
• Santa Clara Valley Water District (CA) - Project evaluation - water conservation project
• Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency (CA) - Wholesale water rate study, Drought Rates, Rate Analysis, and Facility
Capacity Fees
• Santa Clarita Water District (CA) - Retail water rate study
• City of Santa Monica (CA) - Rate study for the Groundwater Sustainability Plan
• Scotts Valley Water District (CA) - Water and recycled water rate study
• City of Sierra Madre (CA) - Water and sewer rate study
• City of Signal Hill (CA) - Water rate and cost-of-service study
• City of Simi Valley (CA) - Sewer rate study
• Soquel Creek Water District (CA) - Water rate structure study
• South Mesa Water Company (CA) - Rate structure and recycled water rate study
• Trabuco Canyon Water District (CA) - Water rate study
• City of Thousand Oaks (CA) - Water and wastewater cost-of-service and financial plan study
• City of Ventura (CA) - Water and wastewater rate study
• Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (CA) - Wholesale wastewater rate study and connection fee study
• Walnut Valley Water District (CA) - Water rate study
• West Basin Municipal Water District (CA) - Wholesale water rate study and desalination financial evaluation
• City of Westminster (CA) - Water rate study
• Yorba Linda Water District (CA) - Sewer and water budget rate study, financial plan study, and cost-of-service rate
study
PUBLICATIONS
• “Mandates and Messaging: How Californians Responded to the State’s Historical Drought," Journal - American
Water Works Association, Volume 111, Issue 3, 2019
• “California Water Rate Trends: Maintaining Affordable Rates in a Volatile Environment," Journal - American Water
Works Association, Volume 109, Number 9, 2017
• “M1 Principles of Water Rates, Fees and Charges,” Journal - American Water Works Association, 7th Edition, 2017
• “Committee Report: Ripples from the San Juan Capistrano Decision,” Journal - American Water Works Association,
Volume 108, 2016
• “The Drought is Over - Now is The Time to Develop Drought Rates,” CSMFO Magazine, 2016
• “Developing Drought Rates: Why Agencies Should Prepare for a Not-So-Rainy Day," Journal AWWA, Volume 108,
2016
• “There’s Opportunity in the San Juan Capistrano Rates Decision,” California-Nevada Section AWWA, Volume 29,
Number 4, 2015
• “California Water Rate Trends,” Journal - American Water Works Association, Volume 107, Number 1, 2015
• “Water and Wastewater Finance and Pricing: The Changing Landscape," 4th Edition, 2015
• “Why do Water Agencies need Reserves?," Journal - American Water Works Association, Volume 106, Number 11,
2014
• “Conservation Rates Offer Options,” CA/NV Section of American Water Works Association, Volume 28, Number 2,
2014
• “California Water Rate Trends,” Journal - American Water Works Association, Volume 105, Number 3, 2013
• “Water Rates, Fees and the Legal Environment," American Water Works Association, 2nd Edition, 2010
• “Water Conservation Made Legal: Water Budgets and California Law," Journal - American Water Works,
101:4,p.85-89, 2009
• “Policy Objectives in Designing Water Rates," Journal of American Water Works, 99:5 p.112- 116, 2005
• “Adelman and Morris Factor Analysis of Developing Countries," The Journal of Policy Modeling, Vol. 19, Issue 4,
pp. 407-415, 1997
RAFTELIS 19
Thierry Boveri CGFM
PROJECT MANAGER
Senior Manager
ROLE
Thierry will manage the day-to-day aspects of the project ensuring it is within
budget, on schedule, and effectively meets the City’s objectives. He will also lead
the consulting staff in conducting analyses and preparing deliverables for the
project. Thierry will serve as the City’s main point of contact for the project.
PROFILE
Thierry is a Senior Manager with Raftelis (previously he was an Associate of
Public Resources Management Group, Inc.) and brings a client focused approach
with a strong desire to provide value and client satisfaction. Thierry has
performed numerous revenue sufficiency and cost of service utility and cost of
service studies for over 50 local governments, has prepared financial feasibility
and disclosure reports totaling over $1.5 billion in debt proceeds issued through
the traditional bond market, state revolving loans.
Thierry specializes in the performance of solid waste cost of service and financial
evaluations with the following areas of concentrations:
• Solid waste collection cost of service and rate studies;
• Disposal cost of service and rate studies;
• Assistance in formation of Solid Waste Enterprise Fund and development of
residential assessments;
• Financial and economic evaluations of solid waste system operations;
o E.g., full and marginal cost evaluations, cost benefit analyses, Landfill
financial assurance, revenue enhancements (host fees, out-of-county rates,
etc.), recycling market evaluations and other analyses.
• Long-Range Financial Modeling / Planning in Support of Master Plans;
• Landfill capacity utilization and valuations;
• Review of contractual arrangements (e.g., evaluation of collection hauler bids
/ contracts);
• Assistance in development of municipal interlocal agreements; and
• Assistance in feasibility studies in the issuance of debt (i.e., Bond Feasibility
studies) and assistance in development of Bond Resolution / Trust Indenture
agreements.
Thierry is an active member of several industry associations, including SWANA,
and has been a primary author to several publications and a featured speaker at
several conferences including the 2017 Waste to Energy Conference to present
the Lee County Success Story, Weathering the Storm to Achieve Financial Sustainability,
the 2018 Florida SWANA conference to present on The Circular Economy (CE) and
Solid Waste Management and the 2019 Florida SWANA conference to lead a panel discussion regarding the State of
Curbside Recycling in Florida.
Specialties
•Solid waste fees
•Water & sewer rate fees
•Parks & recreation fees
•Wholesale fees
•Impact fees
•Feasibility study
•Utility acquisition/valuations
•Capital planning tools
•Business/strategic
plans/negotiations
•Desktop financial asset evaluation/
reinvestment
•Cost/benefit analysis/life cycle NPV
analysis
•Financial policies/best management
practices
Professional History
•Raftelis: Senior Manager (2019-
present)
•PRMG: Associate (2005-2019)
Education
•Bachelor of Arts in Economics;
Bachelor of Arts in International
Business - Rollins College (2005)
Certifications
•Certified Government Financial
Manager, No. 15483
Professional Memberships
•Solid Waste Association of North
America: Florida - Finance &
Planning Committee
•AWWA: Florida Section - Finance &
Rates Committee
•WEF: Utility Management
Committee
•Association of Government
Accountants
•Government Finance Officers
Association
RAFTELIS 20
KEY PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Municipality of Anchorage (AK)
The Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska (MOA) provides refuse collection and solid waste disposal services to a
population of approximately 290,500 residents. Raftelis worked with the Solid Waste Services department to develop a
long-range solid waste collection and disposal model for use by staff to analyze the sufficiency of existing rate revenues to
fund: program capital financing alternatives, test sensitivity of disposal alternatives to landfilling, assess the sufficiency of
the current closure fund reserves, and perform a triple bottom line evaluation to assess the environmental and social
impacts of disposal alternatives, under consideration by the MOA.
Hillsborough County (FL)
Hillsborough County (County) is located on the gulf coast of central Florida and provides solid waste and collection
disposal services to approximately 300,000 assessed residential dwelling units and processes over 1 million tons of waste
annually. The County operations include waste-to-energy facility, landfill, composting, material recycling facility,
household hazardous waste, transfer stations and local community collection sites. Thierry has performed annual solid
waste forecasts for the County since 2011, including retail and wholesale rate setting, cost / benefit evaluations, assistance
in review of franchise collection agreements, landfill gas RFP procurement, determination of average and marginal cost
of operation by disposal facility, support for credit rating agency surveillance and feasibility analyses. As it relates to
review of contract operations, Thierry was responsible for:
• Modeling and forecasting contracted operating costs;
• Independent review associated with calculation of allowable indexing to various contracted service rates for collection,
facility operations and waste disposal; and
• Development of a proposed contracted services pass-through provision to the solid waste assessment and tip fees.
Thierry also assisted the County with their issuance of the Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Facility Bonds Series
2016 A/B in the combined principal amount of approximately $114 million.
As a result of the recent change in market conditions for the sale of recovered materials, the County requested Thierry
assist in the analysis and review of the County’s currently curbside recycling agreement. The evaluation is currently on-
going.
Lee County (FL)
Lee County (County) is located on the gulf coast of southwest Florida and provides solid waste and collection disposal
services to approximately 167,000 assessed residential dwelling units located in unincorporated areas of the County, as
well as, providing disposal service to several municipalities within the County. The County operations include waste-to-
energy facility, ash landfill, composting, material recycling facility, C&D recycling facility, household hazardous waste,
transfer stations and local community collection sites. Thierry has performed annual solid waste forecasts for the County
since 2015, including performing comprehensive revenue sufficiency and cost of service evaluations for the solid waste
system resulting in the adoption of the current solid waste assessment and tip fees currently charged by the County. As it
relates to review of contract operations, Thierry was responsible for:
• Modeling and forecasting contracted operating costs;
• Review of historical charges relative to actual contract terms;
• Master plan support services and
• Assistance in drafting of a new bond resolution with specific consideration of contracted services.
Babcock Ranch Community Independent Special District (BRCISD)
BRCISD is in Southwest Florida and is a new planned residential and retail commercial known as America’s first solar
powered community. Thierry assisted the BRCISD in the creation of a solid waste collection enterprise fund model as
part of the creation of the Babcock Ranch CDD. The study required assistance in the development of interlocal
agreements, pricing mechanisms, life-cycle cost analysis and financial projections. The financial projections required
RAFTELIS 21
detailed accounting of future costs related to expansion and scaling of vehicles, warehousing and CNG fueling facilities,
as well as, expected timing and cost of vehicle replacements. In addition, Thierry assisted in developing estimated routes,
hours of operation and staffing needs. The study resulted in the approval of the recommended rates for service and the
provision of a working financial model for staff use for planning and budgeting.
Hernando County (FL)
Hernando County is located in west central Florida serving a population of approximately 187,000 residents. Thierry has
served the County since 2016 on an on-going basis and has performed various services for the County, including
development of a solid waste financial forecast model, cost / benefit evaluations, determination of average and marginal
cost of disposal and assistance in evaluating proposals for alternative contracted disposal service. More recently, Thierry
has assisted the County with the development and modeling of their solid waste collection operations, which until 2019
had been provided directly to residents by the County’s franchised contractor.
Collier County (FL)
Thierry assisted Collier County (County) in development of the 2019 Annual Utilization and Capacity Report (2019
AUIR) for the solid and hazardous waste division. The 2019 AUIR included developing long-range projections of waste
generation within the County and identifying the projected development and use of existing permitted landfill disposal
capacity. The evaluation included examining the reduction in capacity from reducing elevations from 200 to 150 feet and
possible addition of two additional cells not contemplated in the landfill permit.
City of Arcadia (FL)
The City of Arcadia (City) is located in southwest Florida serving approximately 8,000 residents. Thierry recently
performed a solid waste collection study that was completed in 2018 to assist the county in determining the cost of
collection service and corresponding rates varying by service level comprising frequency and volume of service being
requested. As part of the evaluation Thierry developed a financial forecast of operations and performed an assessment of
the adequacy of existing resources to meet the service level objectives of the City. The study resulted in the approval of a
multi-year rate plan and indexing provision.
SOLID WASTE PROJECT LIST
• Watsonville, City of (CA) – Technical Support
• Martin County (FL)
• Manatee County (FL)
• Pinellas County (FL)
• Sarasota County (FL)
RAFTELIS 22
Kevin Kostiuk
ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER
Manager
ROLE
Kevin will assist the Project Manager with managing the day-to-day aspects of
the project and leading the consulting staff in conducting analyses and preparing
deliverables for the project.
PROFILE
Kevin has a background in economics and accounting and possesses extensive
analytical skills. His expertise lies in water resources management, environmental
economics, environmental policy, and federal water supply and flood control
policy. Kevin is a member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Young Professionals and the Young Professionals Summit Committees in
conjunction with the AWWA Utility Management Conference (UMC). He has
authored an article on potable reuse in Journal AWWA discussing the treatment,
financing structures, and pricing of treated water at advanced purification
treatment plants; an article on municipal water demand pattern changes during
the recent State-wide drought; and an article on proactive financial planning in
times of drought for California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO)
Magazine. Most recently Kevin presented at the AWWA UMC discussing a
recent evaluation of the conceptual CustomerSelect rate model for Soquel Creek
Water District.
KEY PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Crescenta Valley Water District (CA)
Kevin developed a combined water and sewer financial plan and rate model for
the Crescenta Valley Water District (District) in 2016. The cost-of-service and
rate study included several workshops with the District Board which culminated
in structural changes to the District’s existing water and sewer rate structures. In addition to the tiered water rate
structure, which was ultimately adopted, Kevin developed a water budget rate model for evaluation by District staff and
the District Board.
Prior to the cost-of-service and rate study, Kevin performed an economic analysis for the District to determine the
feasibility of offsetting imported water supply with the production of local groundwater. Kevin created a customized
model for the District to use under different scenarios of capital requirements, lease options, and contract lengths. As part
of the study, he reviewed the District’s prior consultant’s work, determined internal rate of returns, calculated the net
present value of district savings, and determined the cost at which the District should lease water rights for groundwater
production.
East Valley Water District (CA)
Raftelis contracted with East Valley Water District (District) in 2014 to develop budget-based rates to replace the
District’s existing uniform rate structure. Kevin assisted the District with design and implementation of budget-based
water rates for their 23,000 accounts including residential, commercial and irrigation customers. The study included
Specialties
•Water & Drought rate design
•Water budget rate structures
•Utility cost-of-service
•Sustainable Groundwater
Management Act
•Data analysis
•Environmental policy analysis
Professional History
•Raftelis: Manager (2020-present);
Senior Consultant (2014-2019);
Consultant (2014-2015)
•Turner New Zealand, Inc.: Director
of Operations (2009-2012);
Accounting Manager (2007-2009)
•Lesley, Thomas, Schwarz &
Postma, Inc.: Staff Accountant
(2007)
Education
•Master of Environmental
Management - Duke University
(2014)
•Bachelor of Arts in Business-
Economics & History - University of
California, Santa Barbara (2006)
RAFTELIS 23
creation of a long-term financial plan and full cost-of-service study for the water enterprise. Kevin developed the 10 year
financial plan model, rate model, and water budget model for the District.
Kevin worked closely with the District’s finance, IT, and, billing departments in the early stages to analyze customer
account level data including monthly use. He also worked with the District’s GIS and other outside consultants to
develop the water budget model using irrigable landscape area, customer class, assessor parcel number (APN), etc. for
construction of indoor and outdoor allocations, or budgets.
The project incorporated significant public outreach whereby Raftelis led meetings with ratepayers to receive input,
provide study updates, and answer questions of the public. The ratepayer meetings assisted adoption of the new rate
structure and implementation. The rate structure that the Board adopted allows for the most precise, scientific and
equitable design of rate structures, tailored specifically to an individual account.
Goleta Water District (CA)
Kevin completed a full water cost-of-service study for the Goleta Water District (District) which included design of
inclining tiered rates for their single-family residential class, as well as agricultural rates for two classes. Complexities in
customer classes’ access to District water supplies, interruptibility during times of drought, and benefit (or lack thereof)
from treatment made the analysis unique and challenging. The study included development of a long term financial plan
model, rate model, and corresponding bill impacts.
To achieve the District’s demand reduction targets as outlined in their Drought Management Plan, the District wished to
explore drought rates/drought surcharges to curb demand. Ultimately, Kevin developed three options of revenue neutral
drought surcharges for the Board’s consideration. These various options ranged from targeted surcharges on an inter and
intra-class basis, to a surcharge applied to non-drought commodity rates, to a uniform commodity surcharge irrespective
of customer class or use. The proposed rates and drought surcharges were adopted and implemented July 1, 2015.
City of Redlands (CA)
Kevin updated prior financial plans developed by Raftelis for the City of Redlands (City) for their water and sewer
enterprises. The update included building in more flexibility to the model for ease of use and for future updates, as well
as, making the model dashboards more user friendly.
The state-wide drought in California called for a mandatory 25% reduction for all water service agencies in the state. The
City’s target was to reduce residential consumption by 35%. Kevin assisted the City in design and implementation of
drought surcharges to achieve a 35% reduction and to recover lost revenue from reduced water sales.
Additional work for the City included updating the City’s Storm Drain Impact Fee and miscellaneous fee for National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) inspections as part of the MS4 permit requirement. The storm drain
fee had not been reevaluated in 20 years. Additionally, the City had recently completed a Storm Drain Master Plan which
called for $83 million in improvements to system deficiencies. Kevin developed a methodology to retain the existing
impact fee structure while updating the fee paid by different land use classes.
In 2015 and 2016 Kevin developed a water budget rate model for the City to evaluate a new rate structure. The model
integrated with the existing water financial plan model and designed parallel water budget rates for consideration by City
staff and the Council.
City of Camarillo (CA)
Raftelis has provided rate consulting services to the City of Camarillo (City) for the past seven years with Kevin serving as
lead analyst the past three years. In the current rate cycle Kevin serves as project manager. The City adopts rates on a
RAFTELIS 24
two-year cycle and the most recent study included rebuilding long term financial plan models, revising the wastewater
utility’s rate structure, and performing a cost-of-service analysis for the sewer utility. Kevin has made presentations to the
City Manager, City’s Utility Committee, and City Council in consecutive years. Kevin successfully presented rates to
City Council in December 2016, November 2017, and November 2018.
During the height of the most recent state-wide drought, the City contracted with Raftelis to evaluate emergency drought
rates as a conservation and revenue recovery tool. Kevin adapted the existing financial plan model and developed
multiple scenarios based upon the City’s water supply condition stages. Kevin developed drought rates utilizing the City’s
financial plan at each stage and estimating water reductions. The rates were not adopted prior to the end of the state-wide
drought however the drought tool is available for quick implementation should drought conditions return. Raftelis is
currently contracted with the City for another two-year rate and capacity fee study for 2019 with Kevin as project
manager.
City of Tustin (CA)
Raftelis contracted with the City of Tustin (City) to develop a 10-year financial plan and evaluate a budget-based rate
structure for its customers. Kevin worked extensively with City staff, Raftelis’ data services team, and outside consultants
of the City to develop the water budget allocation and rate model for the City’s approximately 14,000 customer accounts.
As part of the model build, data from GIS consultants had to be organized and validated for each of the City customers’
parcels. Raftelis’ data services team worked internally to ensure matches between assessor’s data and GIS data for
integration to the water budget model. Rates and customer impacts have been presented to City staff and a public
outreach campaign is being devised in anticipation of the council workshop. The project is ongoing.
Placer County Water Agency (CA)
In 2015 Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) contracted with Raftelis to evaluate its water system. PCWA provides
retail and wholesale water service to treated water and raw water users throughout western Placer County. In Phase I of
the project Kevin evaluated the current system’s four service zones and numerous service classes and customer classes.
Raftelis then provided recommendations to consolidate and simplify the water system organization and structure. In
Phase II Raftelis performed a cost allocation study between the four proposed classes of service to identify the cost of
providing service to these distinct users. Phase III consisted of performing cost-of-service analyses for PCWA’s four
service classes and developing corresponding rates. The study was completed in October 2017 with new organization,
rate structures, and associated rates implemented January 1, 2018.
Additional to the water system evaluation and cost-of-service study, Kevin developed a water budget model for PCWA’s
internal use. The water budget model allows PCWA to examine their Single Family Residential (SFR) customer’s usage
patterns relative to efficiency standards, climate, and account level characteristics. The model will aid in water
management and give insight into water demand pattern changes with the Agency’s new rate structure and rates.
Mammoth Community Water District (CA)
Raftelis provided the Mammoth Community Water District (District) with a 10-year financial plan model for both the
water and wastewater enterprises, as well as performing a cost-of-service analysis for the water enterprise. The district
carries out operating and capital activities that are indirectly assigned to the two enterprises. Kevin worked with District
staff to carry out a cost allocation study to distribute administrative costs appropriately. Raftelis recommended changes to
the water rate structure as part of the study to simplify the rates and make them more legally defensible.
The study took place at the height of the statewide drought and as part of the project Kevin developed drought rates for
the District to implement in times of mandatory conservation or water supply shortage. Being an agency with a large
seasonal population Raftelis worked with staff to determine the most appropriate and effective means of charging the
drought rates. Kevin designed drought rates for each stage of the District’s water conservation plan, effective on the
RAFTELIS 25
meter-based fixed charge of a customer’s bill. This ensured that every connection in the water system shared in the burden
caused by the drought, irrespective of water use. Raftelis also evaluated existing capacity fees for both enterprises. This
task is ongoing. The water rates, wastewater rates, and drought rates were adopted and implemented January 2016.
In 2018 the District again contracted with Raftelis to conduct a wastewater cost-of-service and rate study as well as a
capacity fee study for both utilities. Raftelis developed updated water and wastewater capacity fees which meet the
District’s financial and policy objectives. Capacity are scheduled for adoption in Summer 2019. The cost-of-service study
is ongoing.
Borrego Water District (CA)
Raftelis contracted with the Borrego Water District (District) to evaluate the impact of county growth projections as well
as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) of 2014. Kevin utilized the existing financial plan model,
water supply analyses provided by other District consultants, and assumptions on land acquisitions to determine the
effect of SGMA on long term water rates. The Borrego Groundwater Basin is critically over drafted, and users will need
to decrease water production significantly to achieve sustainable yield by 2040. This will require the District to reduce per
capita water use and acquire production credits within the basin by fallowing agricultural land. Kevin estimated water
rates in each year through 2040 incorporating assumptions on groundwater production, market values of land in the
basin, debt financing, and water source alternatives.
In 2017 Kevin examined the affordability of water rates charged to the District’s customers. The assessment analyzed
both existing and future rates and affordability under the SGMA scenario identified in 2016. The affordability assessment
relied upon the SGMA Impact Assessment and corresponding demand projections, basin yield assumptions, financing
assumptions, and projected rates to the year 2040. The project allowed the District to understand affordability of existing
rates and water allocation and to estimate the affordability impacts of SGMA compliance in the Borrego Groundwater
Basin over the long term.
Borrego Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency (CA)
Raftelis was contracted by the Borrego Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Agency) to develop a financial
planning model and fee options for the new entity as mandated by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
(SGMA). Tasks included working with the core project team to develop policy options for fee structuring and various fee
recovery mechanisms. Project deliverables included a financing plan memorandum, an Excel-based financial plan Model,
operating and administrative budget creation, and a user manual for the Excel Model. The deliverables were used in the
submission of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) to the State Department of Water Resources (DWR) in 2019.
Soquel Creek Water District (CA)
The Soquel Creek Water District (District) contracted with Raftelis in 2017 to evaluate a novel rate structure for its
ratepayers. Kevin participated in several workshops with the District’s citizen Water Rates Advisory Committee and
Board of Directors to develop of policy framework for the rate structure and conduct pricing objectives exercises with
both groups. Kevin developed a report for the District which informed the rate design in 2018.
In 2018 Raftelis contracted with the District for a long-term financing plan and rate study. Kevin served as the assistant
project manager and oversaw the model creation for the financial plan, tiered rate model, and CustomerSelect rate model.
The District adopted our recommended three years of rates in February 2019.
Summerland Sanitary District (CA)
Raftelis contracted with the Summerland Sanitary District (District) in 2016 to perform a cost-of-service and rate study for
wastewater services. The study included a 10 year financial plan model, cost-of-service analysis, and review of the
existing equivalency definitions for the District’s user classes. Additional work included adoption of a formal financial
RAFTELIS 26
reserves policy to ensure long term fiscal health as well as updates and additions to the District’s miscellaneous fee
schedule. Kevin served as project manager and lead analyst for the project and held several meetings with District staff,
the Finance Committee, and the Board of Directors. Five years of rates were adopted in December 2017.
Monterey County Water Resources Agency - New Source Water Evaluation (CA)
In 2017, Kevin performed a cost analysis and evaluation of new source waters from recycled water for its coastal
agricultural users. Recycled water production from the several sources will require new infrastructure, treatment, and
maintenance. Kevin built an electronic model which incorporated different climate scenarios, costs of capital, operating,
maintenance, and treatment, and the water available from all sources under different weather conditions and water rights.
The project is ongoing with a series of meetings with the Agency’s agricultural customers, County Board of Supervisors,
and stakeholder agencies.
City of Buenaventura (Ventura) (CA)
Raftelis developed long-range financial plans so that the water and wastewater utilities could be financially stable and
save costs in the long run. Raftelis also assisted the City of Buenaventura (City) with developing different water and
wastewater rate alternatives with various scenarios based upon estimated water sales and capital improvement plan (CIP)
funding. The study is being conducted with several meetings and input from stakeholders comprised of customers within
the City. Raftelis educates the Water Commission on the basics of rates, cost allocations, and rate design to obtain their
buy-in using the dashboards in the rate models that were developed. This allows us to demonstrate the impacts of various
revenue adjustments on the long-term financial stability of the enterprises. As of May 2019 the studies are ongoing.
City of Simi Valley (CA)
The City of Simi Valley (City) had last raised sewer rates in fiscal year 2008-2009 and was facing a backlog of sewer
system improvements and repair and replacement. Kevin updated the existing sewer financial plan with recent data, as
well as updated the cost-of-service analysis. As part of the study, tier definitions were changed for non-residential
customers to reduce the base charge on small users without impacting revenue recovery. Working with City staff, and
with presentations to City management, Raftelis assisted in getting Council authorization for proposition 218 notices of a
rate increase to the City’s customers. The revenue increases will allow the City to commence the public works
department’s capital improvement schedule while maintaining reserve funds at target levels.
City of Corona (CA)
Kevin assisted the City of Corona (City) in updating its financial plans for the water and reclaimed water enterprises. The
study included performing cost-of-service analyses for both utilities and updating the water budget rate structure. In
addition, Kevin developed a framework and corresponding rates for contract reclaimed water customers.
City of San Jose (CA)
Raftelis contracted with the City in 2016 to perform a cost-of-service and rate study for the City’s water enterprise. The
study included creation of a 10 year financial plan model, cost-of-service analysis, and redesign of the City’s water rate
structures. Kevin as lead analyst developed the financial plan model and worked closely with City staff to incorporate the
City’s budgetary information as part of the planning exercise. Additionally, Kevin worked with the City’s water resources
manager and water system engineer to identify future supply and demand in each of the City’s different service areas,
with differentiated water rates for each area. At the conclusion of the study Kevin held a session to train staff on use of
the electronic financial plan model. The project was completed in 2017.
RAFTELIS 27
Charles Diamond
STAFF CONSULTANT
Senior Consultant
ROLE
Charles will work at the direction of Thierry in conducting analyses and
preparing deliverables for the project.
PROFILE
Charles has a background in natural resource economics and water resources
management. His expertise lies in financial modeling and data analysis. He
joined Raftelis initially in 2017 as an associate consultant upon receiving a
master’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara’s Bren School of
Environmental Science & Management. Charles has developed financial models
and conducted analyses for water and wastewater rate studies as well as capacity
fee studies.
KEY PROJECT EXPERIENCE
City of Watsonville (CA)
Raftelis was engaged to develop 10-year financial plans for the City of
Watsonville’s (City) water, wastewater, and solid waste enterprise funds. The
goal was to develop a financial plan model that could be used as a financial
planning tool to determine the necessary rate adjustments and bond issuances for
maintaining operations as well as handling several large capital projects. Charles
assisted with developing a water, wastewater, and solid waste financial plan and
cost of service rate model as part of the study.
Alameda County Water District (CA)
Alameda County Water District (ACWD) engaged Raftelis in 2017 to provide multi-year rate design and financial
advisory services. Charles provided ACWD staff with technical support in updating the existing financial plan model that
Raftelis had developed for ACWD’s previous financial plan update. Additionally, Charles designed alternative inclining
tiered rates for consideration by the ACWD Board and developed drought rates to be activated during ACWD’s varying
drought stages as defined in the agency’s Urban Water Management Plan. Charles developed a study report for ACWD
staff that outlined the financial plan update and the newly proposed drought rates. Charles also assisted other Raftelis
staff in conducting a facility capacity fee study for ACWD during this time.
Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency (CA)
The Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency (Agency) engaged Raftelis in 2019 to provide an annual update of the
Agency’s five-year financial plan and to propose rates for 2020. Charles served as lead analyst on the study update. He
updated the existing financial plan model, and also worked with Agency staff to evaluate potential rate structure
alternatives to be considered in future years. Charles developed a study report to document the key results of the study.
Antelope Valley State Water Contractors Association (CA)
The Antelope Valley State Water Contractors Association (AVSWCA) engaged Raftelis in 2018 to conduct a financial
analysis study to develop a proposed replacement water assessment for groundwater users in the area. Charles conducted
Specialties
•Utility financial analysis
•Data collection & analysis
•Statistical analysis
Professional History
•Raftelis: Senior Consultant (2021-
present); Consultant (2019-2020);
Associate Consultant (2017-2018)
•UC Santa Barbara Department of
Economics: Teaching Assistant
(2017)
•The Nature Conservancy: Science &
Stewardship Practitioner (2013-
2015)
Education
•Master of Environmental Science &
Management (Water Resources
Management) - University of
California, Santa Barbara (2017)
•Bachelor of Science in
Environmental Economics & Policy -
University of California, Berkeley
(2013)
RAFTELIS 28
financial analyses necessary to develop an equitable and defensible replacement water assessment that accounts for State
Water Project costs incurred by AVSWCA’s member agencies. As the lead analyst on the project, Charles developed an
Excel-based replacement water assessment model and drafted a study report for AVSWCA staff.
City of Brentwood (CA)
The City of Brentwood (City) engaged Raftelis to conduct a water and wastewater rate study. In 2017, Raftelis helped the
City evaluate the current water and wastewater utilities’ cost-of-service and adjusted rates accordingly. Recently Charles
updated a financial plan model and performed a cost-of-service analysis for the City’s wastewater utility. Charles assisted
with the update of existing rates as well as the development of a proposed alternative rate structure and rates.
City of Dixon (CA)
The City of Dixon (City) engaged Raftelis in 2018 to conduct a water rate study to develop updated water rates for the
City’s water utility. Charles developed a 10-year financial plan model, performed a cost-of-service analysis, and developed
a five-year schedule of proposed water rates. Charles also assisted in the preparation of presentation materials for water
rate workshops with the City Council.
City of El Monte (CA)
The City of El Monte (City) engaged Raftelis in 2019 to conduct a water rate study. Charles attended meetings with City
staff, collected and reviewed necessary data for the study, developed a user-friendly five-year financial plan model, and
developed a proposed rate schedule over a five-year period. Additionally, Charles developed water shortage rates to be
implemented by the City during times of declared water supply shortages. He also developed a Cost Allocation Plan
model in concurrence with the water rate study to assist the City in allocating personnel costs associated with providing
water service to the City’s water utility.
Goleta Water District (CA)
The Goleta Water District (District) engaged Raftelis in 2019 to conduct a water rate study. Charles developed a multi-
year financial plan model, performed a cost-of-service analysis, and developed a five-year schedule of proposed water
rates as Raftelis’ lead analyst on the study. Additionally, Charles prepared presentation materials for meetings with the
District’s Board of Directors tings and the rate study report and drafted the study report to serve as an administrative
record.
La Cañada Irrigation District (CA)
La Cañada Irrigation District (District) engaged Raftelis to conduct a water rate study. Since the last rate study was
performed in 2008, Raftelis helped the District evaluate the cost-of-service and adjusted rates accordingly. In 2017,
Charles developed a financial plan model for the District to support the financial plan development for fiscal years 2018
to 2027. Charles also recently performed a cost-of-service analysis to assist with the update of the District’s rates.
City of Long Beach (CA)
The City of Long Beach (City) engaged Raftelis in 2018 to develop an updated financial plan model for the City’s water
and wastewater utilities. Raftelis had previously conducted a comprehensive water and wastewater cost-of-service rate
study in 2016 for the City. Charles developed an updated financial plan model to be used by City staff in future financial
planning efforts. The financial plan model was designed specifically to facilitate ease of use and understanding while
providing for convenient and flexible scenario analysis. Charles worked with City staff to provide customized model
features with specific functionalities based on requests and input from City staff.
Olivenhain Municipal Water District (CA)
Olivenhain Municipal Water District (District) engaged Raftelis in 2019 to conduct a comprehensive water rate study. As
a member agency of the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA), the District provides water service to over
RAFTELIS 29
80,000 people in northern San Diego County. Raftelis had conducted the previous cost-of-service analysis and rate study
for the District in 2014. As part of the rate study effort, Charles developed a new financial plan model for the District’s
water enterprise, performed a cost-of-service analysis, and developed updated tiered rates based on current customer
usage characteristics. Additionally, Charles assisted in redesigning the District’s water supply shortage rates, which are
activated during periods of reduced water demand in order to recover reduced revenues from volumetric rates.
National Water and Sewerage Authority of Grenada (Eastern Caribbean)
The National Water and Sewerage Authority of Grenada (NAWASA) engaged Raftelis in 2019 to conduct a water and
sewer rate study for the eastern Caribbean country of Grenada’s national water and sewer utility. Charles developed a
water and wastewater financial plan and rate model in Microsoft Excel and travelled out to Grenada for a week of onsite
meetings with NAWASA staff. Charles worked directly with NAWASA staff to develop and refine model results, and
assisted with the development of a study report to document the key results of the study.
Rancho California Water District (CA)
Rancho California Water District (District) engaged Raftelis in 2017 to conduct a water capacity fees study. Raftelis
reviewed and updated the existing methodology for calculating the District’s water capacity fees, developed a water
capacity fee model for use in calculating updated capacity fees. As part of the study, Charles developed the water capacity
fee model, calculated updated water capacity fees, and drafted the study report.
The District engaged Raftelis in 2018 to conduct a two-year water, recycled water, and wastewater rate study. Raftelis
developed a cost-of-service rate model to allocate costs and calculate rates for fiscal years 2019 and 2020. Charles assisted
with rate model revisions, prepared presentation materials for meetings with the District’s Board of Directors, and drafted
the rate study report.
Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (CA)
The Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (Authority) engaged Raftelis in 2017 to develop a rate model for the Inland
Empire Brine Line, which is a pipeline used to divert non-reclaimable wastewater of high brine content from the upper
Santa Ana River Basin. Raftelis reviewed and recommended changes to the Authority’s reserve policies, developed a 10-
year financial plan for the Brine Line Enterprise Fund, performed a multi-year cost-of-service analysis, and developed a
rate model for use in calculating rates assessed to the Brine Line’s dischargers. Additionally, Raftelis assessed and
recommended potential methodologies to be used in the development of long-term capacity leasing rates and rental
charges. Charles developed the financial plan, assisted with the cost-of-service analysis and rate calculation, drafted the
study report, and attended multiple meeting with the Authority’s staff.
City of Simi Valley (CA)
The City of Simi Valley (City) engaged Raftelis in 2019 to conduct a water rate study for the City’s water utility. The
Study included the development of a five-year financial plan, a cost-of-service analysis, and the development of proposed
water rates over a five-year period. Charles served as lead analyst and conducted the vast majority of the technical
analyses required for the study.
City of Sonoma (CA)
The City of Sonoma (City) engaged Raftelis in 2018 to conduct a water rate study for the City’s water utility. The study
included the development of a five-year financial plan, a cost-of-service analysis, and the development of proposed water
rates for fiscal years 2019-2023. Charles processed and analyzed account level billed water consumption data, assisted in
development of the water rate model, and drafted the water rate study report.
PROJECT LIST
• Borrego Water District (CA) – Water affordability assessment
RAFTELIS 30
• Castaic Lake Water Agency (CA) – Facility capacity fee update study
• Cucamonga Valley Water District (CA) –Multi-year water and drought rate study
• City of Huntington Beach (CA) – Water rate study update
• County of Inyo (CA) – Water rate study
• Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (CA) – Water and wastewater rate study
• City of Lincoln (CA) – Water rate study
• Marin Municipal Water District (CA) – Miscellaneous fee study
• Mojave Water Agency (CA) – Strategic financial plan
• National Water and Sewerage Authority of Grenada (Eastern Caribbean) – Water and sewer rate study
• Sacramento Suburban Water District (CA) – Water rate study
• Santa Rosa Plain, Sonoma Valley, & Petaluma Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (CA) – Groundwater
sustainability agency fee analysis and rate setting services
• South Mesa Water Company (CA) – Water rate study and connection fee update
• City of Simi Valley (CA) – Water rate study
• City of Sonoma (CA) – Water rate study
• South Mesa Water Company (CA) – Water rate study
• City of Thousand Oaks (CA) – Water financial plan update and wastewater cost-of-service rate study
• City of Ventura (CA) – Water and wastewater rate study
• Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (CA) – Wastewater rate study and capacity fee study
RAFTELIS 31
Jonathan Jordan, PGp (CA)
STAFF CONSULTANT
Associate Consultant
ROLE
Jonathan will work at the direction of Thierry in conducting analyses and
preparing deliverables for the project.
PROFILE
Jonathan has a background in geophysics and GIS, working nationwide as a
project geophysicist for a consulting firm based out of Southern California. He
has been involved with data processing, data analysis, and reporting of various
types of data to help solve complex geophysical problems in the engineering,
environmental, and geotechnical fields. Jonathan’s experience has allowed him to
develop reports and products for over 50 projects, utilizing multi-method
approaches to serve client needs best.
KEY PROJECT EXPERIENCE
City of Malibu (CA)
Jonathan is currently serving as the analyst on a project with the City of Malibu
(City) in conducting a rate update for the City’s wastewater operation. Jonathan
assisted in updating its financial plans, rates, and debt repayment for the
wastewater and recycled water enterprises. Furthermore, Jonathan is assisting the
City wastewater fee charges onto the LA County Assessor property roll.
City of Santa Cruz (CA)
The City of Santa is currently updating their financial model to evaluate different
water demand factors and associated drought rates, reserve policies, a
comprehensive rate study, drought rates, capacity fees, and other financial/rate
matters. The City experienced a significant drought and had to allocate water. Water use was already at a historically low
level, and residential water use was one of the lowest in California. With the desire to refund a debt and low commodity
revenues sales, the City needed to adopt drought rates within a short time period. Jonathan is currently working with the
City and project manager to assist with completing the 2021 update.
CA Rate Survey (CA)
Jonathan is currently the analyst conducting a water rate survey for large water enterprises in California. The project
involves surveying rates from select water districts, which will be available for qualitative and quantitative analyses. Using
the database, Raftelis will be able to deploy functional data visualizations to clients and the general public rapidly and
efficiently.
Specialties
•Utility rate analysis
•Geospatial Data Analysis
•Data Visualization
Professional History
•Raftelis: Associate Consultant
(2020-present)
•GEOVision Geophysical Services:
Project Geophysicist (2015-2020)
•Signal Hill Petroleum, Inc.: Intern
Data Analyst (2013)
Education
•Master of Science in Geological
Sciences/Geophysics -California
State University at Long Beach
(2019)
•Bachelor of Science in Geophysics
– University of California at
Riverside (2012)
Professional Memberships
•AGU
•AEG
•EEGS (Former)
•AAPG (Former)
RAFTELIS 32
Hourly Billing Rates
Project team hours and expenses will be billed on the same invoice. Expenses such as postage, duplicating/printing and
travel will be billed at cost. Additional services outside the agreed upon scope of work will be billed on a time and
materials basis. Raftelis’ billing rates can be found below.
POSTION HOURLY BILLING RATE*
Chair $450
Chief Executive Officer/President $400
Executive Vice President $340
Vice President/Principal Consultant $310
Director of Governmental Services $310
Senior Manager $275
Director of Florida Operations $225
Manager $245
Director of Data Services $245
Senior Consultant $215
Consultant $185
Creative Director $175
Associate $155
Graphic Designer $125
Analyst $110
Administration $80
*For services related to the
preparation for and participation
in deposition and
trials/hearings, the standard
billing rates listed above will be
increased by an amount up to 50
percent.
RAFTELIS 33
STATEMENT OF PAST CONTRACT DISQUALIFICATIONS
The proposer shall state whether it or any of its officers or employees who have a proprietary interest in it, has ever
been disqualified, removed, or otherwise prevented from bidding on, or completing a federal, state, or local
government project because of the violation of law, a safety regulation, or for any other reason, including but not
limited to financial difficulties, project delays, or disputes regarding work or product quality, and if so to explain the
circumstances.
Do you have any disqualification as described in the above paragraph to declare?
Yes No
If yes, explain the circumstances.
Executed on at under penalty of perjury of
the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing is true and correct.
Signature of Authorized Proposer Representative
March 12, 2021 Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc.
Thierry Boveri, CGFM
RAFTELIS 34
Project Understanding
The City of San Luis Obispo (City) contracts with the San Luis Garbage Company to assist the City in providing solid
waste, recycling and organic waste collection service to its citizens and businesses within the City limits. The City is
currently interested in performing a comprehensive cost of service (COS) study to establish rates for 2022 through 2025
and identify future rate needs through 2031 encompassing a ten (10) year forecast period through a user-friendly financial
model. The study will provide the City with an indication of the COS by type of service, level of service, and type of
customer and explore multiple scenarios for evaluation by the City. The rate recommendations will prioritize incentives
for recycling and composting while also satisfying requirements of Proposition 218, which can sometimes be in conflict
with one another.
Project Approach
We have developed the following proposed approach based on our extensive experience in completing similar studies to
that being requested by the City. The approach has been tailored to address the specific objectives and concerns identified
in the Request for Proposal (RFP), while maintaining those elements that we believe are essential for a successful project.
Recognizing the current limitations on travel amid COVID-19, we would like to offer that we can conduct all meetings as
web-based meetings if necessary or preferred. Our staff has proven that we can effectively work in collaboration with our
clients remotely without any sacrifice in the quality of our work. We have assumed a minimum of five (5) virtual
meetings throughout the course of the engagement to present findings to staff at major milestones of completion to
receive staff input and communicate progress and findings.
Task 1: Project Initiation, Data Request, and Benchmark Survey
We believe that the execution of a productive kick-off meeting (web-based or on-site) is the most effective way to begin a
project of this nature. The goals for this meeting include:
• Providing a forum to finalize the work plan and schedule with City staff
• Confirm the study goals and objectives with City staff
• Discuss any areas of concerns or issues that may impact financial projections or rate recommendations (e.g.,
expiring collection agreement, recycling services, etc.)
• Reviewing the data needs for the project
• Provide meeting minutes at the conclusion of the meeting
Prior to the kick-off meeting, we will prepare a detailed data request list that will identify the information needed to
complete the various analyses. Information that is typically required to perform a comprehensive cost of service study
includes recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports, recent and current budgets, key contractual service
agreements, current and historical billing data, debt service schedules, and equipment or other capital improvement plans.
WORK PROGRAM
RAFTELIS 35
Task 2: Historical and Forecasted Customer / Tonnage Statistics
Raftelis will evaluate and analyze five years of historical customer statistics including billing data, recycling statistics, and
waste deliveries by customer class, type, and quantity (weight or volume). Based on the analysis of historical trends Raftelis
will develop a multi-year forecast comprising a minimum of five years (Forecast Period) of customer, recycling, and waste
generation statistics which will be used to forecast operating revenues and expenses of the City.
Task 3: Preparation and Validation of the Revenue Forecast
Utilizing projections from Task 2, Raftelis will develop revenue projections under existing rates by class of customer and
service type. This task will include a revenue test to validate the revenue model by comparing calculated revenues for the
most recently completed historical year relative to audited and reported revenues.
Task 4: Operating Expense Allocation and Forecast
Raftelis will summarize and analyze three to five years of historical operating expenses by cost center function and by line
item within each cost center. The historical evaluation will be used to identify trends in expenses. If not allocated by the
City, Raftelis will work with City staff to assign costs among the various programs or services of the City’s solid waste
operations using industry-accepted practices of cost allocation methodologies. The current operating expense budget will
serve as the baseline for the forecast. The projection of operating expenses will be escalated from the base year recognizing:
i) historical trends in such costs; ii) indexing provisions related to contract operations (if applicable); iii) assumed inflation
in the cost of operation and escalation in costs based on the number of customers served and waste generation forecasts as
noted in item 2; and iv) possible changes in operations (e.g., additional personnel, new contract, new services, etc.).
The financial model will forecast the contracted cost of collection and disposal through focused modules to calculate the
contracted cost of collection from the San Luis Garbage Company and cost of disposal of materials sent to Cold Canyon
Landfill, Hitachi Zosen Inova Kompogas Facility, and the Cold Canyon Processing Facility. With respect to the
collection cost such projections will consider SB1383 hauler requirements.
Task 5: Development of the Capital Funding Plan
This task involves identifying the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), allocating expenditure by service or program type, and
identifying the corresponding funding sources for each project or capital expenditure, if any. The allocated funding
requirements will be relied upon in assessing the cost-of-service.
Task 6: Identify Other Revenue Requirements and Funding Needs
This task involves identifying: i) existing debt service requirements (if applicable) and compliance requirement (e.g., loan
agreements/debt service coverage); ii) required deposits for working capital and future capital funding needs; and iii) other
funding requirements associated maintaining minimum financial performance metrics.
RAFTELIS 36
Task 7: Cost Allocation and Rate Design Alternatives
As mentioned through several of the tasks, Raftelis will functionalize the projected costs developed through tasks 4-6
using industry-accepted practices to assign costs by service levels and types (i.e., refuse collection, recycling collection,
organics collections, collection frequency, container type, etc.) and class of customer (single family, multi-family, and
commercial rate structures). The allocated costs will serve as the basis in determining the cost of service. As part of this
task, the design of fees will also consider pricing objectives such as:
• Affordability – Rates may be designed such that there are mechanisms in place that allow for legitimately
economically disadvantaged customers to receive service.
• Cost of Service-Based Allocations – The rate structure should ensure that each customer class is contributing
equitably towards revenue requirements based on the costs of providing service to each customer class.
• Prioritize Recycling and Composting – The rate structure will focus on creating priorities for recycling and
composting through the tiered solid waste collection rate structure.
• Legality and Proposition 218 – Rates should be designed according to standard industry practice and in
accordance with applicable laws such that rate disputes are avoided.
• Minimizing Rate Impacts – Rates should be designed and implemented in an effort to avoid inordinately large
increases or decreases in customers’ bills during the course of a single year.
• Rate Stability – The rate structure should minimize dramatic rate increases or decreases over the planning
period.
• Revenue Sufficiency – Rates should generate revenues sufficient to meet revenue requirements despite
fluctuations in demand.
• Simplicity and Ease of Implementation – Rates should be readily understandable by customers and be able to be
implemented using existing staff and the existing billing and collection infrastructure with only minor
modifications.
We will provide the City with at least two (2) rate structure alternatives for consideration. Based on the study findings and
rate recommendations, a customer impact analysis will be performed to present the impact to various customers (i.e.,
residential, commercial, multi-family) of the City.
Task 8: Management Dashboard and Interactive Work Sessions
Raftelis will work with staff and stakeholders to develop financial targets/benchmarks and objectives to evaluate for each
year of the Forecast Period. Raftelis will present this information through the Management Dashboard to evaluate results
in real-time to facilitate interactive work sessions testing the sensitivity of changes to key assumptions (e.g., rate increases,
capital funding, operational expenses, etc.). Throughout the engagement and during this task, the study may utilize web-
based meetings as necessary to present and discuss preliminary findings.
Task 9: Draft Report Preparation
The study will include the preparation of a draft report documenting the methodology, data relied upon, assumptions,
findings, and recommendations of the study. City staff will be provided the opportunity to comment and Raftelis will
incorporate comments and submit a final draft report for presentation to City Council.
RAFTELIS 37
Task 10: Formal Presentation of Results and Finalize Report
Raftelis will develop a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the study findings and recommendations to make a formal
presentation to City Council at either a work session or regular meeting. Raftelis will incorporate any changes requested by
the Council and finalize the report.
As an option, we have included time for our communications professional to assist in the development of enhanced
communications and stakeholder outreach for this task.
Task 11: Proposition 218 Notice Content Development
Pending the outcome of Task 11 and the direction of City Council, Raftelis will prepare the written content for the public
hearing notice as required by law. We will prepare a draft for City staff and the City attorney to review and incorporate
comments into the final notice.
As an option, we have included time for our communications professional to assist in the development of enhanced
communications and stakeholder outreach for this task.
Task 12: Proposition 218 Notice Public Hearing with City Council
Once the public hearing notices have been sent, a public hearing to adopt or reject the rates may be scheduled as early as
45 days after mailing. Raftelis will present at this hearing to show the need for revenue adjustments, the rate derivation
and customer bill impacts.
Task 13: Model Training
After completion of the model, Raftelis will coordinate a virtual training session to train staff on the use of the model.
This task may include minor allowances for teleconference consultation after training is completed.
Meetings and Deliverables:
During the course of the study Raftelis has assumed several meetings as indicated in the project timeline. We have assumed
a total of five (5) web-based meetings and two on-site meetings. As previously discussed, Raftelis is prepared to conduct all
web-based meetings if necessary or desired due to COVID-19.
The following provides a summary of the key project deliverables:
• Task 1 – Data Request and Fee Comparison
• Tasks 9 and 10 – Draft and Final Report
• Tasks 10 through 12 – Power Point Presentation
• Task 14 - Financial Model with Staff Training for Staff Use
RAFTELIS 38
Raftelis will develop a customized model for the City that
incorporates a dashboard to allow you to easily run scenarios
and see the impacts in real time.
Shown below is a sample dashboard that we developed for the City of Watsonville, CA and
Municipality of Anchorage, AK.
WATSONVILLE SOLID WASTE FINANCIAL PLAN Dynamic years FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 FY 2030
SOLID WASTE DASHBOARD
Selection Options Adjustment Month Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul
Years Shown 7 Revenue Adjustment 0.0%0.0%7.5%7.5%7.5%5.0%5.0%
Account Growth Slight Increase
Temporary Service Growth No change Proposed Debt $0 $2,043,711 $0 $832,320 $4,138,711 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Grant Funding for CIP $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
CIP Reduction $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Total CIP $1,526,982 $3,705,991 $214,200 $3,594,582 $4,218,302 $81,182 $1,772,050 $985,392 $1,631,461 $1,025,202 $1,275,680
Note that there is no debt coverage requirement
(0.70)
0.62
0.0%
1.0%
2.0%
3.0%
4.0%
5.0%
6.0%
7.0%
8.0%
FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026
-1.00
-0.50
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
REVENUE ADJUSTMENTS & DEBT COVERAGE
Revenue Adjustment (Left)Projected Debt Coverage (Right)
Required Debt Coverage (Right)Alert Coverage (Right)
$1.5 M
$3.7 M
$0.2 M
$3.6 M
$4.2 M
$0.1 M
$1.8 M
$0.0
$0.5
$1.0
$1.5
$2.0
$2.5
$3.0
$3.5
$4.0
$4.5
FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026
Millions CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP)
Debt Funded Cash Funded
$8.8 M
$6.5 M $6.2 M
$3.7 M
$4.4 M
$5.5 M $5.2 M
$0.0
$1.0
$2.0
$3.0
$4.0
$5.0
$6.0
$7.0
$8.0
$9.0
$10.0
FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026
Millions TOTAL ENDING FUND BALANCE
CIP Expenditures Ending Balance Operating Reserve Target Total Reserve Target Alert Balance
-$5.0
$0.0
$5.0
$10.0
$15.0
$20.0
$25.0
FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026
Millions FINANCIAL PLAN
O&M: Personnel O&M Operations Debt Service Cash Funded CIP
Revenue to/from Reserves Proposed Revenue Current Revenues
CITY OF WATSONVILLE, CA
MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE, AK
RAFTELIS 39
Schedule
Raftelis will complete the scope of services within the timeframe shown in the schedule below.
Initiation Phase: Study Kick-off Meeting,
Data Request and Review, and Intiate Model
Development
Development Phase: Model Development,
Peridoic Web-Based Meetings with Staff to
Review Key Assumptions
Presentation Phase: Present Preliminary
Findings to Staff, Prepare Draft Report,
Present to Council, and Provide Model
Training to Staff
Implementation Phase: 45-day Wait Period
for Proposition 218 Hearing, Public
Presentation, and Study Closure
In-Person Meetings / Workshops
Web Meetings
Deliverables
Mar 2021 Apr 2021 May 2021 Jun 2021 Jul 2021 Aug 2021
RAFTELIS 40
Cost
The following table provides a breakdown of our proposed fee for this project. This table includes the estimated level of
effort required for completing each task and the hourly billing rates for our project team members. Expenses include costs
associated with travel, telephones, postage, etc.
Hours
SG TB KK CD JJ Admin Total
1. Project Initiation, Data Request, Fee
Survey, Kick-off Meeting 1 2 8 4 4 0 0 18 $4,400
2. Historical and Forecasted Customer /
Tonnage Statistics 0 2 0 12 0 0 14 $3,130
3. Preparation and Validation of Revenue
Forecast 1 0 2 2 8 4 0 16 $3,250
4. Operating Expenses Allocation and
Forecast 0 3 0 12 4 0 19 $4,025
5. Develop Capital Funding Plan 0 2 0 10 0 0 12 $2,700
6. Identify Other Revenue Requirements
and Funding Needs (Debt, Transfers, etc.)1 0 2 2 6 0 0 8 $2,200
7. Cost Allocation and Rate Design
Alternatives 2 2 4 8 0 0 14 $3,610
8. Management Dashboard and Interactive
Work Sessions 2 0 2 4 16 0 0 20 $4,710
9. Preparation of Draft Report 2 2 12 16 0 6 38 $7,220
10. Preparation of PPT and Presentation to
City Council and Finalize Report 1 0 2 8 12 0 2 32 $5,063
11. Proposition 218 Notice Content
Development 0 0 2 2 0 0 32 $790
12. Proposition 218 Notice Public Hearing
with City Council 1 0 0 8 0 0 0 32 $1,783
13. Staff Training on Model Use 1 0 0 6 6 0 0 12 $2,370
Total Estimated Meetings / Hours 4 2 6 27 52 112 8 8 267
Hourly Billing Rate $310 $275 $180 $215 $155 $75
Total Professional Fees $1,860 $7,425 $9,360 $24,080 $1,240 $600 $44,565
Total Fees $44,565
Total Travel, Communication and Printing Expenses $685
Total Fees & Expenses with Optional Tasks $45,250
Total Fees &
Expenses
SG - Sanjay Gaur
TB - Thierry A. Boveri, CGFM
KK - Kevin Kostiuk
CD - Charles Diamond
JJ - Jonathan Jordan
Admin - Administrative Staff
Tasks
Virtual / Web
Meetings
Number of
Meetings
RAFTELIS 41
Requested Changes to Terms
and Conditions
We reviewed the terms and conditions, and below are the exceptions for the City to consider. We are willing to work
with the City to find mutually acceptable language.
(a) Non-design, non-construction Professional Services: To the fullest extent permitted by law (including, but
not limited to California Civil Code Sections 2782 and 2782.8), Consultant shall indemnify, defend, and hold
harmless the City, and its elected officials, officers, employees, volunteers, and agents (“City Indemnitees”), from
and against any and all causes of action, claims, liabilities, obligations, judgments, or damages, including reasonable
legal counsels’ fees and costs of litigation (“claims”), arising out of the Consultant’s called by Consultant’s and proper
performance or Consultant’s failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement or out of the operations
conducted by Consultant, including the City’s active or passive negligence, except for such loss or damage arising
from the sole negligence, gross negligence, or willful misconduct of the City. In the event the City Indemnitees are
made a party to any action, lawsuit, or other adversarial proceeding arising from Consultant’s performance of this
Agreement, the Consultant shall provide a defense to the City Indemnitees. or at the City’s option, reimburse the
City Indemnitees their costs of defense, including reasonable legal fees, incurred in defense of such claims.
REQUESTED CHANGES TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS