Budget Message BUDGET MESSAGE
FY 1988-89
TIGARD WATER DISTRICT
April 12, 1988
During the present fiscal year the water district has been
on the accrual versus cash basis in its accounting and budgetary
method. This method of accounting began on July 1, 1975 and
employs the generally accepted principles for an operating enter-
prise. The accrual method of accounting will again be utilized
for the new Fiscal Year 1988-89, beginning July 1, 1988 .
The financial policies of the water district will remain
essentially the same as in past years. Fiscal restraint has been
the policy of the Board of Commissioners since formation of the
district in 1938 . Until 1976 it was necessary to issue general
obligation bonds to fund many of the required capital improvements
in the water system. Since then the district has been "Living"
within income without borrowed funds. Consequently, each year the
district has improved its financial position as indebtedness is
reduced and monies are set aside in a reserve fund for future
capital improvements. of significance is the fact that the dis-
trict will be debt-free in just 7� years at which time no annual
tax levy will be necessary to fund this liability, provided future
capital improvements are not needed on a crash basis and bonds must
be issued.
Again this year, the water district received a clean, unquali-
fied opinion from the auditor (Coopers & Lybrand) for both the
financial report and budgetary report for the period ended June 30,
1987.
GENERAL
The patrons of the district have not experienced a water short-
age or restrictions on usage, of any kind, since the summer of 1971.
' These 17 years with no restrictions include the drought years of
1977 and last year. Supply of water appears ample until well beyond
year 2000.
The good news is that no increases in fees or rates of any
kind are proposed for the next fiscal year. Consumer rates were
last increased in February 1983 . The tax rate will continue its
annual decline from 19G to 15� per $1, 000 assessed valuation, the
lowest rate in at least the past 30 years.
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BUDGET MESSAGE (Continued)
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS OF PRESENT FISCAL YEAR
a. New Operations Center
Last year it was proposed that the district utilize the design
build concept of construction but, due to possible legal entangle-
ments, the district' s attorney advised against it. Therefore, an
architect was retained and the conventional method of construction
will be utilized, acceptance of the lowest bidder.
Design work for the new Operations Center to be located at SW
Hall and Burnham Street has proceeded as planned. This facility
will consolidate all district activities at one site and provide
for future growth which is believed to be inevitable.
i
The site has been cleared and all street and sidewalk improve-
ments have been completed.
Advertisement for bids will be promulgated after the regular
April 1988 meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Competitive bids
will be received at the regular meeting on May 10th with construc-
tion to begin on July 1, 1988 .
It is believed that the new building (s) will be ready for
occupancy on January 1, 1989 or shortly thereafter.
It is estimated that the lowest bid will be about $l . l million.
i
$700, 000 has been saved in a capital reserve account so $400, 000
must be appropriated in the new budget to complete financing.
b. Water Supply to Bull Mountain
The most critical and difficult portion of the district to
serve is the unincorporated area of Bull Mountain where every gallon
of water must be pumped to a higher elevation. Due to the recent
explosion of new homes, a water supply study and plan of the Bull
Mountain area was completed by Consulting Engineer Gilbert Meigs in
1986. This study indicated that major capital improvements had to be
accomplished as soon as possible in order to adequately serve this
area. Thus, a thrust in improvements in this area has been effected.
A 16-inch main to parallel an existing 12-inch main has been
installed along Bull Mountain Road, from #2 reservoir site (located
at SW 120th and Gaarde Street) , to Hi Tor reservoir which will im-
prove the district' s capability to pump water to the summit of Bull
1,,Iountain. This will triple the capacity to pump water to the summit.
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BUDGET MESSAGE (Continued)
Other improvements have been made to pump water to Bull Moun-
tain. Last year, two 50 hp pumps were installed at the alternate
pump station located on SW 132nd Avenue, south of Walnut Street,
thereby increasing the capacity from 400 GPM to 600 GPM. Within
the next few months the primary pump at #2 reservoir site will be
changed from 100 hp to 150 hp, thereby increasing the capacity from
900 GPM to 1400 GPM.
Finally, in 1992, an additional 1-million gallon reservoir is
planned at the Hi Tor reservoir site at an estimated cost of
$500, 000. Land is owned by the district.
C. Bull Run Water
In view of the drought conditions in 1937 and continued poten-
tial drought in 1988 it was deemed appropriate to complete as soon
as possible the intertie between the Bull Run source (Bradley Cor-
ners) and the 10-MG reservoir (SW 125th and Bull Mountain Road) .
This project had been postponed for several years due to lack of
right-of-way to install the pipeline. An easement was obtained and
1, 000 feet of 36-inch ductile iron pipe was installed between the
intersection of SW 121st and Gaarde to Hazeltree Terrace in AMES
ORCHARD. Thus, Bull Run water can now be imported, by gravity, all
the way to the 10-MG reservoir. Note should be made of the fact
that Bull Run water is the district' s secondary or alternate source
of water. 97% of the water consumed by the district is purchased
from the City of Lake Oswego which utilizes Clackamas River water
via a multi-million dollar treatment plant.
d. City of Beaverton Intertie
Again this year, installation of 16-inch and 12-inch mains
along SW 135th and Scholls Ferry Road, including another intertie
with the City of Beaverton, was not completed because of problems
obtaining an easement along SW 135th Avenue. A Local Improvement
District (LID) has been formed and 135th Avenue will be improved
this summer. Therefore, funds for this project will be rebudgeted
this year because installation of this pipeline is very important
to the district in that it completes a vital circulation loop where
fire flows are deficient and, as mentioned above, provides the dis-
trict with another intertie with the City of Beaverton.
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BUDGET MESSAGE (Continued)
e. Loss of Commissioner Dick Brown
The water district lost a truly outstanding commissioner and
good friend in Dick Brown who died on February 28th at the age of
76 after heart surgery. He was elected to the board in 1979 and
was re-elected in 1933 and 1987 . He made a significant contribution
to both the water district and the public . He will be missed.
f. Retirements
Both Administrator Bob Santee and Leadman Jahn Dixon intend to
retire no later than June 30, 1989. Bob will have completed 19'�
years with the district while John will have completed 17 years.
Their guidance and expertise will be missed by the district.
Personnel replacements have been included in the budget although
promotions will occur from the present staff . Superintendent John
Miller has been designated by the board to be the new Administrator.
GOALS OF THE WATER DISTRICT
A critical situation (on water supply) has not existed
for many years. For the past 17 consecutive years the patrons of
the district have not endured water shortages or restrictions, of
any kind. The district has solved its problems for the present and
short-term time periods and is now actively building for the inter-
mediate and long-range time periods to meet needs beyond year 2000.
The district excels in all categories of a water system,
namely: source (s), storage, and distribution. Tigard Water District
is the only district or city with four (4) sources of supply which
are Clackamas River, Bull Run, Upper Tualatin (via City of Beaverton) ,
and deep wells. The district owns two operational deep wells, capable
of producing about one million gallons per day.
Average daily demand of the district is four million gallons
per day (4 MGD) . By order of the Oregon State Health Division the
district must have 3 days' average daily demand on hand in storage.
The district has 20 MG' s of storage, far exceeding the required 12
MG' s of reservoir capacity.
All pipeline replacements were completed about eight (8 ) years
ago. Thus, all mains are either cast or ductile iron pipe, capable
of lasting for 50 to 75 years.
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BUDGET MESSAGE (Continued)
In addition to an outstanding water system, the district has
one of the lowest per capita costs for water service in Washington
County. The district has the lowest consumer rates, lowest meter
connection fees, lowest tax rate, and lowest bonded indebtedness.
A primary goal of the district has been to govern and operate
a "pay-as-one-goes" water system without reliance on bonded indebted-
ness. The present indebtedness of the district is about $1 million
and, as indicated earlier, that will be paid off in just 7,� years.
To continue along this financial path means that monies have to be
set aside each year from the General Fund for future major capital
improvements. Such a fund is called : "Capital Projects Reserve
Fund. " The district established such a reserve fund, beginning in
1980. The district saved enough monies, first, for the 2 . 5-MG reser-
voir located on SW 135th and Fern Street. Secondly, the Operations
Center will be constructed this next fiscal year with monies which
were set aside earlier. Prior to year 2000, the following projects
must be funded through savings if borrowed monies are not to be
used:
1992 : 1-MG reservoir at Hi Tor on Bull Mountain.
Estimated cost: $500,000.
1996 : 2�--MG reservoir on SW 150th Avenue, between Beef Bend
Road and Bull Mountain Road.
Estimated cost: $1 million.
The water district cannot ignore the enormous growth that will
occur in the years ahead. The Tigard area is one of the fastest
growing areas in the State of Oregon. The district is presently
installing about 500 meters per year and that rate is due to increase
because of new developments. The district now has about 9, 000 meter
connections and that number is expected to double by the turn of the
century, 12 years hence. At that time the Urban Growth Boundary is
expected to be expanded westerly in conjunction with the west side
bypass highway. Also, with Washington County reducing its urban-level
responsibilities in the unincorporated areas, it is believed that, at
some point in time, the water district will merge with the most
southerly half of Metzger Water District, thereby acquiring another
3, 000 meter connections.
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BUDGET MESSAGE (Continued)
FISCAL CONSIDERATIONS
All funds in the Bond Construction Fund (Proceeds from General
Obligation Bonds) were expended by June 30, 1979. Therefore, the
district has only three active funds as shown below:
a. General Fund
b. Debt Service Fund
C. Capital Projects Reserve Fund
The General Fund is used for the day-to-day operations of the
district which will total about $3� million dollars this year.
Monies for this fund are derived, primarily, from water sales and
meter connection fees. Details on the GF will be explained later.
The Debt Service Fund is a fund established to reserve monies
to pay off bonded indebtedness. Monies for this fund are derived
from advalorem (property) taxes. It is this category of revenue
that the district is attempting to eliminate which will occur on
January 1, 1996.
The Capital Projects Reserve Fund allows a governmental body
to set aside monies from the General Fund for future capital im-
provements. This fund was briefly described earlier. It should
be noted that this fund will have zero balance at the end of the
new fiscal year because the present balance will have been spent
on construction of the new Operations Center. No funds will be
budgeted to be placed into this account during the new fiscal year.
GENERAL FUND
A summarized preliminary budget document for the General Fund
has been prepared for the new fiscal year and is shown on the
opposite side of this folder, together with supporting documents
and historical data as of March 31, 1988 (9 months of the present
fiscal year) .
It is emphasized that the budget document is a financial guide
only, and when approved and adopted, legally authorizes the Board
of Commissioners to expend funds in specific categories. It does
not authorize the staff to spend any funds. Approval of individual
appropriations is accomplished at regular monthly meetings of the
board.
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BUDGET MESSAGE (Continued)
The budget committee is the final approving authority of the
proposed budget document. Subsequently, the Board of Commissioners
will adopt the approved budget. It is unnecessary to acquire voter
approval of the budget because revenues from taxation are not used
to fund operation of the water district. Taxes are utilized for
annual payments on bonded indebtedness only. These bond measures
were previously approved and authorized by the patrons at the polls.
During the past two (2) years, three of the five outstanding bond
issues were paid off. Within two years, another bond issue will be
liquidated, thereby leaving only the issue of 1976 outstanding.
The public has the right to appear before the committee and
make its views known on the current budget document.
Appropriate public notices have been published in THE TIGARD
TIMES on the time and date of the first meeting of the committee.
Subsequent meetings, if necessary, will be called by the elected
chairman of the budget committee. For the past several years the
committee has been able to complete its work in just one meeting.
The next few pages discuss income and expenditures proposed
i
in the General Fund budget. Most estimated figures are derived
from historical data of previous years. In other cases, knowledge
of pending developments assists one in arriving at more accurate
projections. It is noted that no one has a crystal ball so any and
all comments and suggestions are welcome.
It is recommended that the budget committee examine carefully
those line items which represent a large percentage of the total
budget. Correct forecasts on these line items can have a marked
impact on the preparation of a realistic budget.
GENERAL FUND
INCOME
% of
Account Amount Total
Beginning Balance. . . . . . . . .$ 767 , 400 20%
Water Sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 280, 000 61%
Meter Installation Income. 560, 000 15%
Other Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152, 600 4%
Total : $3 , 760, 000 100%
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BUDGET MESSAGE (Continued)
Beginning Balance
Beginning Balance on July 1, 1988 is a very important figure
and is derived by adding the actual balance on March 31, 1988 to
estimated income, less expenditures, for the remaining three months
(April, May and June) of the fiscal year.
Being on the accrual method of accounting, the beginning
balance includes inventory on hand which is estimated to be about
$100, 000 on July 1, 1988 . Beginning balance also includes cash
on hand (including checking accounts) , accounts receivable, less
accounts payable.
Water Sales
Water Sales represent the single most important source of
income in the budget, accounting for 610 of the total revenue.
Therefore, maximum attention should be given to this line item.
An error of just a few percentage points can make a significant
difference in the total amount of revenue estimated to be received.
Fortunately, water sales are reasonably predictable.
History of water sales is shown on page la in the attached
folder. Those historical percentage increases reflect past adjust-
ments in consumer rates as well as consumption so they should not
be used as a sole basis for projecting future revenue. No increase
in consumer rates is contemplated this year.
Wet summers, conservation, and rate increases tend to keep
water consumption down. However, with the high growth in the
Tigard area, it is believed that water consumption will increase
by 100 over last year' s consumption. This percentage is used in
estimating revenue as well as increased costs to purchase water
from both Lake Oswego and Portland.
Meter Installation Income
Income from meter installations is very volatile and unpre-
dictable, being dependent upon the economy and building construction.
A conservative 10% increase in revenue from meter sales is pre-
dicted.
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BUDGET MESSAGE (Continued)
GENERAL FUND
EXPENDITURES
% of
Account Amount Total
Personal Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 653 , 400 17%
Water Costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 995, 000 25%
Water Costs-- Electricity. . . . . 108 , 000 3%
Meter Installation Expense. . . . 86, 000 2%
Buildings & Additions. . . . . . . . . 540, 000 15%
Pipeline Extensions. . . . . . . . . . . 185, 000 5%
Land & Improvements. . . . . . . . . . . 65,100 2%
Capital Projects Reserve Fund. -0- 0%
Other Expenditures. . . . . . . . . . . . 707 , 000 19%
Ending Fund Balance. . . . . . . . . . . 420, 500 12%
Total : $3 , 760, 000 1000
To some on the budget committee it may be frustrating not to
be able to reduce expenditures more. Unfortunately, just like the
federal and state budgets, 80% of the expenditures are "built"
into the system. It costs a certain amount of money just to open
the doors each morning. Inflation-- has it disappeared? No.
The cost of doing business, purchasing pipe and fittings, salaries,
etc. , continues its upward spiral. This fact should not discourage
the budget makers but merely include these additional costs in the
proposed budget.
One will find that, for the most part, savings can be made
most easily by minimizing or delaying capital expenditures, such
as pipeline extensions, major maintenance and repair, and by not
purchasing new vehicles and equipment. Indeed, this is often the
tactic used when funds become short near the end of the fiscal
year. This can, however, result in higher costs in future years
because of more rapid deterioration of the system and higher main-
tenance costs for vehicles and equipment as well as a reduction in
the quality of service to patrons.
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BUDGET MESSAGE (Continued)
Personal Services
Representatives of the Board of Commissioners and employees
met a few months ago and a mutually agreeable settlement on wages
was approved. (Note: water district employees are non-union but
are afforded the opportunity to negotiate an acceptable wage
package) . After a short, amicable meeting it was agreed to grant
all employees a 5% cost-of-living increase in basic pay.
It should be noted that such changes in basic salaries also
affect other elements in the personal services account, namely:
retirement, social security, SAIF, life and disability insurance,
and overtime pay.
Water Costs
Costs to import water from both Lake Oswego and Portland
account for the highest single expenditure. A 10% increase in
water consumption is projected, both in revenues and costs.
The contract with Lake Oswego states : "City will attempt to
notify purchaser by April 1st of each year of any contemplated
changes (in wholesale rates) so that purchaser can include such
changes in its annual budget which begins on July lst. " Lake
Oswego, to date, has given no such notification so it is assumed
that the wholesale rate will remain the same at 40� per 100 cubic
feet.
The above notwithstanding, it possible that Lake Oswego
will increase wholesale rates by 25% (from 40G to 50�) beginning
July 1st. (Any Lake Oswego increase in rates normally applies to
its citizens as well as wholesale water purchasers) . Since TWD
will spend about $873, 000 in water purchases from Lake Oswego in
FY 1988-89, such an increase (25%) would mean an additional expense
of $218, 000. A sufficient amount will be placed in the contingency
fund to account for this possibility.
Portland has indicated that it will increase wholesale rates
to TWD by 7. 1% from 79. 8 to 85. 5 per 100 cubic feet. Since TWD,
by contract, need only purchase about 3 . 55% Bull Run water in FY
1988-89, this increase will not be significant (about $5, 000) .
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BUDGET MESSAGE (Continued)
Water Costs -- Electricity
The average person does not normally associate the need for
electricity to provide water service nor the cost therefor. All
water from Lake Oswego must be pumped. All water to serve Bull
Mountain must be pumped again. In fact, to serve the area immedi-
ately surrounding the Hi Tor reservoirs on the summit of Bull
Mountain, the water is pumped five (5) times, beginning at the
intake on the Clackamas River. Electrical costs add about 5�
per 100 cubic feet to the price of water from the Clackamas River.
With increase in demand, it is estimated that electrical costs
will exceed $100, 000 per year in FY 1988-89.
Meter Installation Expense
A 10% increase in meter installation expense is predicted
which is in consonance with meter installation income.
Equipment
Only one new truck can be afforded this year. That will be
a new 1989 Chevrolet van truck to replace a 1980 model. Mainten-
ance costs have become excessive on the old model.
Pipeline Extensions
Only two (2) pipeline installations are planned for the next
fiscal year, both of which have a high priority. These pipelines
are described below: (See attached maps) .
a. The pipeline along SW 135th and Scholls Ferry Road, in-
cluding another intertie with the City of Beaverton, has top
priority as described on Page 3 of this report. This must be
accomplished in conjunction with the L.I.D. for streets and side-
walks. Estimated cost: $63, 600.
b. With the capacity of Lake Oswego' s treatment plant
limited to 16 MGD (million gallons per day) and due to the high
growth in both Lake Oswego and TWD, more Bull Run water will have
to be imported during peak demand periods in the future. (Lake
Oswego uses about 11 MGD and TWD utilizes 9 MGD at peak demand
-11-
BUDGET MESSAGE (Continued)
periods) . Thus, the district must make up the difference and
improve its capability to import more Bull Run water. The
Portland connection can now provide about 7 MGD via a 16-inch
main between Bradley Corners (intersection of Hall, Greenburg,
and Oleson Road) and Tiedeman, along SW Greenburg Road. The
master meter for Bull Run is located at Bradley Corners.
Portland has indicated that it can provide TWD with 14 MGD at
Bradley Corners. Thus, the 16-inch main must be paralleled with
a 24-inch main. There is no immediate crisis in this matter and
it is proposed that this entire pipeline be constructed over a
two or three year time period. The first phase or 2, 200 lineal
feet of 24-inch pipeline along SW Greenburg Road, between Tiedeman
and Highway #217, should be constructed this next fiscal year.
Estimated cost: $115, 600.
Land and Improvements
One of the objectives of the district, about year 1996, is
to construct a 22-MG (million gallon) reservoir on SW 150th Avenue,
between Beef Bend Road and Bull Mountain Road, as mentioned on
Page 5 of this report. This reservoir will require about three
(3) acres of land. It is hoped that the specific parcel of land
desired by the district will become available for purchase this
year. (Note: appropriate elevation above sea level is paramount
in selecting a reservoir site) . The purchase of this same parcel
of land has been budgeted the past two years but never executed;
therefore, the same amount is rebudgeted this year. This purchase
will ensure ownership of two of the five reservoir sites required
by the district in accordance with the engineering study of 1986
for the Bull Mountain area.
Ending Fund Balance
An Ending Fund Balance (including inventory) of $420,500
is deemed necessary to ensure adequate funds to start the succeeding
fiscal year. This balance is considered a minimum to remain solvent
and avoid cash flow problems.
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BUDGET MESSAGE (Continued)
SUMMARY
All governmental budgets are described as "austere" by
budget preparers and this budget is no different. However, TWD
is proud to be meeting its commitments, without borrowing, without
a consumer rate increase, and at the same time, reducing bonded
indebtedness and providing for growth. This budget provides the
funds necessary to accomplish the most important tasks, correct
the few remaining deficiencies in the system and, concurrently,
continue liquidating indebtedness and investing in the future.
The patrons of the district are well-served with no consumer rate
increase and a reduction in the tax rate while being beneficiaries
of a more reliable water system and alternatives for future water
supply.
In passing, one cannot forget to mention the continued out-
standing performance and contributions made by all employees of
the district. They are the ones primarily responsible for the
excellent condition of the water district.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN P. MILLER
BUDGET OFFICER
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