[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6605308,"mediaKeyId","2987070-6148165bb9a8546b81f224df413368fb","parentId",2987070,"title","Solid waste rate study shows small FY26 deficit; consultant outlines three rate scenarios and transfer-station options","audioSeconds",2888,"startMs",2313665,"endMs",5202285,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987070-6148165bb9a8546b81f224df413368fb&start=2313&end=5202","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987070-6148165bb9a8546b81f224df413368fb/thumbnail_2313665.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6605308/Edmond/Oklahoma-County/Oklahoma/Solid-waste-rate-study-shows-small-FY26-deficit-consultant-outlines-three-rate-scenarios-and-transfer-station-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605308-6baa7501c416310985f454adaec93b9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135402&Signature=CKD4qLvDxWv2ULB2qj~DKnZStinwbxCgboavgVOSgCQ1YBbC-ld~xN4XW34LFcGuV193Ts5seYLs-QLWWEZf7wublHyMR3BSOFw~4YNwichbtdiiJQSHZEC8H2KRpuihmb~M4ila7DxxdXA5ML9e76HCk~o9Od83Kbu~QzTAvI2IOlBz-BYYG8Fz~yQ7JL9f6BmLq2~6IDCQxAnNWIyFp7GsLR030WJ5anMl-LOLhxEfQb9QIJ7xbMoRJuN5f1S-Z3SE87ZEMLyPErsWUvmYZjwPsCAC9nIh90zFzhzRwwg64jWe46mX4tNIK7Iue5ePJk1Xld0JMc83tZSAdNizOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Edmond","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","Keith Stewart, Director of Public Works, and Bobby Masterson, Assistant Director of Public Works, presented a solid-waste budget update and introduced a rate study by Raptalus Financial Consultants that shows a modest FY26 operating deficit and recommends building reserves to cover storm-debris, fleet lease and operating contingencies.

The consultant, Terry Bovary of Raptalus, told the council the FY26 projection shows roughly $12.5 million in solid waste revenues versus about $12.569 million in expenses — a current-year deficit on the order of $19,000. Raptalus recommended reserve targets and presented three rate options to close the funding gap and build reserves: an immediate front-loaded increase, a three-year phased increase, or a five-year phased plan. Consultants also presented an initial, high-level analysis of alternatives regarding the privately operated Edmond Transfer Station and potential cost savings from shifting disposal pathways.

Mr. Bovary summarized operations and current service levels: one automated weekly garbage pickup with unlimited bulky collection, every-other-week recycling (contracted with Republic), and a mix of commercial services. He said the utility serves about 53,750 residential accounts and 1,580 commercial accounts and processes roughly 68,500 tons annually. Raptalus used FY25 budget figures escalated at roughly 3.5% annually in its baseline forecast and recommended conservative reserve targets including 120 days of operating expense, one year of fleet lease coverage and a storm-debris reserve sized to the 2019 ice-storm experience.

On reserves and rate options, the study showed that without action the fund balance would decline; the three scenarios would restore reserve targets on different timelines (front-loaded would meet targets fastest; five-year phase would meet them at the end of the forecast window). Mr. Bovary said the city’s existing reserve balance is about $11 million and a target benchmark computed in the study is roughly $16–17 million depending on selected reserve components.

The transfer-station analysis presented two broad alternatives and one variant: (1) sending collected material directly to the landfill (bypassing the transfer station) with estimated annual savings in Raptalus’s low‑end scenario of about $500,000 and a high-end scenario approaching $917,000, depending on utilization and per-trip assumptions; (2) the city acquiring or operating the transfer station, which would require a sizable payout (the consultant cited an approximate $8,000,000 payment figure depending on contract terms) and would need a multi‑year payback analysis. Raptalus estimated residential trip cost assumptions of about $157 per trip and commercial at about $147 per trip in its high-level modeling; it also noted additional factors — routing, equipment wear, insurance and liability exposure — that need more detailed study.

Council members requested more supporting backup for the numbers, specifically the assumptions about incremental maintenance, insurance, travel time, and any routing changes that would be required to send vehicles to the landfill. Mr. Bovary and staff said the presentation was a high-level summary and that a formal report with detailed backup will be provided; the transfer-station contract does not expire until 2027, giving time for further study and stakeholder discussions. The council did not take formal action; staff and the consultant said they will return with the full report and proposed FY26 budget recommendations.

The study next steps include delivering the full written report, finalizing FY26 budget recommendations for council consideration and continuing stakeholder discussions about the transfer station well before the contract renewal period begins.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Edmond - City Council Workshop - FY26 Utility Budgets and Rate Study - Apr 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City consultants found a small FY26 solid waste funding gap and recommended options to rebuild reserves: a front-loaded rate increase, a three-year phase or a five-year phase. The study also outlined potential savings if Edmond altered transfer-station arrangements, estimating payback windows but recommending further analysis.","taxTitle","Edmond, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma","taxId",2681,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6605313,"Edmond Electric forecasts flat base rates, flags wholesale power and tariffs as risks",640,1636545,2276995,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987070-6148165bb9a8546b81f224df413368fb&start=1636&end=2276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987070-6148165bb9a8546b81f224df413368fb/thumbnail_1636545.jpg","/articles/6605313/Edmond/Oklahoma-County/Oklahoma/Edmond-Electric-forecasts-flat-base-rates-flags-wholesale-power-and-tariffs-as-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605313-7d3a3aa00f455164fb87b8b714cba28c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135402&Signature=AuweWzF-WYNIaLPRpJiLAos9L0e-bWrOdUtTLukwcCkncuC6iKMFb7-SY1mv1YfPA5z-wNYGnrVFJHKfFlrvQX43~kGPHFXhORoqqgUi1BqwOmUZcz3mBsZ3YZtVCfHsmd~ZEadBQpcCXo8Ua0iYFaR7TGG516httSxccy7dUpQ~C~ved3gx0Fu17B6hJpjlhPNesK8A34mTvANp1fouCp2yS00QTNwkeoWZOe~NGeqPgv81lXhiEWNmh0vTcUIXq2UGFHhoiU77To~YlPyBelS-hFIXO1bOA8tjnvBdUE2e~REFrNiH2mnJMRXB-6qvSNPfQV93ufHdKS-h6WcL5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mr. Fisher, representing Edmond Electric staff, presented the electric utility budget and capital program for fiscal year 2025–26, reporting expected revenues of about $116 million and highlighting wholesale power purchases as the largest cost component.

The utility expects to use approximately $8.2 million in bond proceeds for capital projects while beginning debt service on a recent $22 million issuance. Staff said they do not anticipate changing base retail rates in the next five years but continue to monitor the fuel-cost adjustment monthly and will recommend changes to the finance director as needed.

Edmond Electric staff told the council that wholesale power is roughly 52% of the utility’s costs and that natural gas price volatility therefore drives the largest uncertainty in future budgets. “Our big one is always wholesale power,” Mr. Fisher said. The presentation also raised concerns about tariffs on steel and aluminum and long lead times for key materials; staff reported pad‑mount transformer lead times of about two years and said they are ordering early.

Capital priorities described included feeder and substation reinforcements, an additional substation adjacent to Coffee Creek subdivision, and downtown backbone feeders to support infill development. Staff noted planned investments in smart metering (AMI) and SCADA systems and an intention to hire additional engineering and technician positions over the next decade to use operational data to reduce wholesale purchase costs.

On personnel and operations, staff proposed a reclassification of a substation lineman, a new substation technician and a new distribution-design technician; the personnel package is about $164,000 in reclassifications and new positions. The utility’s first debt service payment on the recent bonds will be roughly $1.6 million in FY26, staff said.

Council members asked staff to track tariff developments closely and return if external changes require mid-year budget adjustments. There were no formal votes taken at the session.","Edmond Electric staff presented a FY26 budget showing roughly $116 million in expected revenues, identified wholesale power (driven by natural gas prices) and material tariffs as primary cost risks, and proposed targeted staffing and capital work including substations and feeder upgrades funded in part by bond proceeds.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6605317,"Edmond presents FY26 water and wastewater budget, schedules rate study and small increases",1405,30410,1436044,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987070-6148165bb9a8546b81f224df413368fb&start=30&end=1436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987070-6148165bb9a8546b81f224df413368fb/thumbnail_30410.jpg","/articles/6605317/Edmond/Oklahoma-County/Oklahoma/Edmond-presents-FY26-water-and-wastewater-budget-schedules-rate-study-and-small-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605317-ae072d509c51d01920514e1994401d1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135402&Signature=GFpsNq1VYyZG1VX5K64EK-h90pNvVEJd7Pax5zq0-UH8sQ5Baa~g-WN3PE7IBBimTlWfk4tXBqcTAbnoeJYLWFWM-qvDzcJeijB6I8c0asVmjIwd3bgl5xfRZYnJyb2w8kdFt~mE0s9LMXG5XKBIVUw8-KTLZGWRipmahq2aW5U6G1VMoZfYVpGQNhtPbQLGZySaI3Kg9EdjbR~Tg~JYpriAXdlBFW2EXl1tAIAag8U140mGsTi9TagSZbR9d89u8vOt-3XHXKIUvPtZb574Tfzp6fd-2bV59dohU22lcKteOGH2zw9icQ3HuIOHXB0fAkrRstDGzGG~WKBeAWeVLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Edmond Water Resources staff presented the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 water and wastewater budgets on Wednesday, saying the water fund is projected at about $44 million for next year while wastewater revenues are projected at roughly $27.5 million for the current year.

The presentation warned that capital project costs and debt service are the largest drivers of future rate increases and recommended a new water and wastewater rate study before the next major water-plant construction phase. The staff presentation also proposed targeted staffing additions, continued use of reserves for rate stabilization, and monitoring of new regulatory requirements including PFAS testing.

Water Resources staff told the mayor and council that the water plant fund had realized roughly $48 million in revenues this year versus a $41 million budget, largely because of drought-driven usage, and that staff is proposing a budgeted revenue figure of about $44 million for FY26. Staff said the city is maintaining a policy of keeping steady, smaller annual rate increases to avoid large, infrequent jumps: “our policy, as of late, has been to keep the 2–3% variety of increases, rather than holding them off and having 10% or 15% rate increases every 5 years,” the presenter said.

The presentation explained existing reserve and debt practices: the utility maintains minimum reserves to meet bond and State Revolving Fund loan covenants (staff cited a 90-day minimum as the operational baseline), uses 30‑year debt terms to distribute project costs across growth, and leverages state programs that issue revenue bonds on a junior lien to the utility where beneficial. Staff noted planned capital work including the second phase of the water plant expansion and other projects currently in design.

On operations and personnel, staff proposed adding one water-well operator to respond to chlorine-residual and other monitoring requirements and one general-maintenance position for wastewater as additional facilities come online. Staff also said about 100 active leaks remain on the system, down from a spike above 200 in an earlier period, and described continuing investments in waterline replacement and condition assessment. “We have to take the water plant completely offline each March or April … so it’s gotta be completely offline so that we can clean out lines, do maintenance,” Water Resources staff said, describing seasonal constraints.

Staff identified other cost pressures: chemical and electricity costs, Oklahoma City wholesale water increases (staff said Oklahoma City implemented a larger-than-expected increase that effectively reached about 17% for the city), and a newly announced federal requirement to begin PFAS monitoring in 2026. Staff said existing activated-carbon treatment at the water plant will be used to evaluate PFAS compliance once the new treatment phase begins.

Council members and Director of Public Works Keith Stewart asked staff to return with a rate-study timeline and to keep the council informed as the design reaches a 90% cost estimate so elected officials can assess rate impacts before contracts are let. The council did not take any formal votes; staff said the water/wastewater rate study is budgeted for the coming year and will be paired with Public Works Committee briefings and future council discussions.

Looking ahead, staff said it will bring the water/wastewater rate study results back to the Public Works Committee and City Council prior to finalizing funding mechanisms for the next water plant phase and before issuing bids.","City staff outlined a proposed $44 million water fund budget and a $27.5 million wastewater projection for FY26, flagged capital-driven rate pressure, proposed personnel additions and scheduled a joint water/wastewater rate study ahead of a major water plant phase.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Solid waste rate study shows small FY26 deficit; consultant outlines three rate scenarios and transfer-station options

Edmond Electric forecasts flat base rates, flags wholesale power and tariffs as risks

Edmond presents FY26 water and wastewater budget, schedules rate study and small increases