Performance Measures - 2007 Archive
Related Information
Rates and Fees
About this measure: DNRP seeks for minimize rates and fees while maximizing value of service. Major programs track rates and fee against the level of inflation and benchmark against similar service providers. For inflation, we look at changes in the consumer price index over a 10 year time horizon.
Because benchmarking against similar service providers and jurisdictions is time intensive, this is done only every other year for most of our programs. Comparative programs are selected for proximity, range of services, and relative cost of doing business.
Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD)
Monthly residential wastewater service fee increases vs. Consumer Price Index increases
2007 Wastewater Rate: $27.95
2007 Target: rate if it had risen by rate of inflation from the 1997 rate: $26.15
Difference: 6.43 percent
Influencing factors: WTD is in a period of major construction activity as it invests in future service, including construction of the Brightwater treatment plant and its conveyance system.
Strategy going forward: WTD has been implementing a productivity initiative to reduce operating costs and reduce future rate pressure. The rate will be held at $27.95 for 2007 and 2008.
Rate vs. comparable agencies
Rate comparisons provide qualitative information. There are no targets established for this measure. Wastewater service rate in 2005 was greater than average fees from other jurisdictions.
There are significant differences among these utilities in the extent and level of services they provide. For example, some may not provide full secondary treatment or recycle biosolids as extensively as King County does. Additionally, the division is in a period of major construction activity as it invests in future service, including construction of the Brightwater treatment plant and its conveyance system.
WTD has implemented a productivity initiative program aimed at reducing operating costs and increasing savings to ratepayers. The productivity initiative allows employee flexibility to apply business practices used in private industry to cut operating costs, increase productivity, and continue a high level of service and environmental protection for county residents. A joint effort supported by labor, management and employees, the program has saved ratepayers $33 million in five years.
Solid Waste Division (SWD)
Solid Waste Division tip fee compared to rate of inflation
2007 Results: The Solid Waste Division tip fee was lower in 2007 than if it had risen at the rate of inflation over the last 10 years.
2007 Target: For SWD rates to be lower than if they had risen at the rate of inflation over the last 10 years.
2008 Target: For SWD rates to be lower than if they had risen at the rate of inflation over the last 10 years.
Influencing Factors: The rate remained unchanged due to modest technical enhancements, improvements in staff scheduling, somewhat greater automation, and the continued upgrading of staff skills.
Strategy Going Forward: In 2007 it was clear that inflationary pressures over the last nine years were having an effect that could no longer be offset by internal efficiencies. In addition, the King County Council approved the Division's plan to modernize and expand the transfer station system and the additional costs of this program would begin to be felt starting in 2008. Therefore in 2007 the Council agreed to a rate increase for three years: 2008 through 2010. The new rates took effect on January 1, 2008. The basic fee rose from $82.50 per ton to $95.00 per ton.
Comparison of fees and rates with other agencies that provide comparable services
2007 Results: As of March, 2007, the King County solid waste tip fee of $82.50 per ton was below the mean ($96.95) and the median ($98.36) of the tip fees of seven comparable jurisdictions (including King County).
2007 Target: For the solid waste tip fee to continue to be below the mean and the median of other, comparable jurisdictions.
2008 Target: For the solid waste tip fee to continue to be below the mean and the median of other, comparable jurisdictions.
Influencing Factors: SWD rates stayed constant and other jurisdiction's rates either stayed the same as 2006 or went up slightly.
Strategy Going Forward: Solid waste tip fees were not raised in 2007 but were raised to $95.00 per ton as of January 1, 2008.
Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD)
Comparison of surface water management fees with inflation
About this measure: This measure tracks compares surface water management fees compared to inflation rates over the last 10 years.
2007 Results: Last year, the King County Council approved an increase to the surface water management fee, bringing up the annual charge to $111 per residential parcel. The increase raises revenue to compensate for the eroding effects of inflation. Since 2002, inflation based on CPI has increased by an estimated 15%. King County Office of Management and Budget projections suggest that inflation will rise by another 4.9% through 2009.
2007 target: Increase surface water management fees at a rate commensurate or no more than inflation
Influencing factors: Many factors drive the level of rates and fees, including storm events that induce flooding and other natural disasters, changes in the economy, additional development, demands for natural resource management services, increased regulatory requirements and changes to the rate base.
Strategy going forward: Surface Water Management Fees were raised in 2007 to meet impacts of inflation however regulatory costs related to compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit are increasing while Surface Water Fee revenue is decreasing due to annexations and incorporations. Making surface water activities more efficient while prioritizing how surface water revenues are spent will be important tasks for the Water and Land Resources Division over the next several years.
P-12 Surface water rate vs. comparable agencies
2007 Results: King County's surface water management fees are less than both the average and the median of what other incorporated, cities and towns, in King County charge.
Influencing factors: King County offers one of the most robust surface water management programs in the region. As a large jurisdiction it is governed by Phase I of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit by the State Department of Ecology to comply with the federal, Clean Water Act. Permit requirements this and for the next six years are more stringent as the state is grappling with declines in the health of its surface waters and the Puget Sound.
Strategy going forward: Much work is being done to determine how to comply with regulatory requirements amidst dramatic declines in revenue. Stormwater services will look to making its operations more efficient and King County managers, the Executive and the Metropolitan King County Council will be faced with finding alternative funding sources or eliminating programs previously funded by the surface water management revenues.
Technical Notes
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