The District Board of Directors met on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 4:30 PM.
The Board of Directors heard updates from General Manager Pete Kampfer on the District’s current and pending projects, including analyzing current and future water needs, installation of emergency generators, Capital Improvement Projects, Pressure Plane 8 and Pressure Plane 13 storage and pumping improvements, administrative tasks related to Impact Fee roll-out, and WaterSmart marketing. Other recent projects include updates on the progress of a Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water Treatment Plant, recent staff efforts in employee recruitment and training, finalizing the new Belt Press for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, administering the 2024 annual customer survey., completing the surplus auction, conducting the 2023 retirement audit, and analyzing current wholesale water contracts.
The Board of Directors voted to adopt Resolution #2024-02 to amend the District’s service policy to increase water rates. The water rate increase was based on the Water Utility Rate Study conducted by NewGen Strategies & Solutions, which provided a rate structure and methodology that would minimize increases to fixed/low-income residents, promote water conservation, and assess charges based on the financial impact on the system. The water rate increase is an average increase of 6.9%. In efforts to minimize increases to fixed/low-income residents and to promote water conservation, the rate increase is gradually higher through the rate tiers. The rate increase will go into effect in June 2024.
The Board of Directors accepted the 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the Independent Auditors Report presented by George, Morgan, and Sneed, P.C. Every year, State law and debt covenants require JCSUD to publish a completed set of audited financial statements. The District received an unmodified opinion, and the financial statements were presented fairly in all material respects and were in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In the presentation of the audit, the District was also recognized for receiving a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. This certificate is the District's 10th year in a row to receive this prestigious award from the Government Finance Officers Association.
The Board of Directors voted to adopt Resolution #2024-03 authorizing negotiations and actions to transfer ownership and control of a portion of the JCSUD Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN). Crowley ISD owns a 56-acre property in Tarrant County, with approximately 20 acres within the JCSUD CCN and approximately 36 acres within the City of Fort Worth’s CCN. Crowley ISD has requested that the City of Fort Worth service all their properties. Crowley ISD has agreed to pay JCSUD’s stranded cost, and all parties will enter into a written agreement.
The Board of Directors voted to approve District staff to execute a Task Order To Kimley-Horn Engineering to update the 2023 Impact Fee Study to include necessary improvements from increased growth as presented in final Technical Memorandums (TMs) when received from third-party engineering firms. Reimbursements via Impact Fees are the preferred mechanism for installing significant infrastructure necessary to provide service to growth. By utilizing Impact Fees for reimbursements, the financial burden is shared between JCSUD and developments requiring additional infrastructure for sufficient water service. The revised Impact Fee Study will allow an expeditious process to accelerate the installation of necessary infrastructure.