10-11-1999 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEETING1 1999 ORONO ^? ,< I9S9 Cl I Y Cr, J: - cii r uh ofiiQjyg Metropolitan Council Environmental Services' cost reduction goals are resulting in rate savings for cities throughout the region. In fact, anticipated savings from 1998 to 2005 are $2,241 per million gallons treated, or an average of $280 per million gallons per year. Environmental Services’ Competitive Plan Savings Projection for your community is $474,432, which we hope will be passed on to ratepayers in the form of lower fees. These calculated savings are the sum of the savings (difference) each year between the Rate Policy rate and the actual rate charged for the eight years, multiplied by billing year 1999 flow (based on model year 7-98 through 6-99 flows.) Faced with significant forces for change, including rising customer expectations, increasing surface runoff pollution and private sector competition, MCES, in 1998, began stepping up efforts to be more competitive. By improving key processes and reducing overall staffing levels, MCES has demonstrated its commitment to cutting overall costs while maintaining high quality services to customers. This commitment is reflected in MCES’s impressive environmental standards compliance record, a water resources management program with a mix of innovative p)oint and nonpoint source pollution-reduction solutions, aggressive mercury and phosphorus reduction strategies, and efforts to ensure equity in the MCES rate system. We expect to achieve this rate system equity in the 2000 legislative session through passage of a legislative initiative that would change the Service Availabilit) Charge (SAC) reserve capacity model to a growth cost model. I look forward to the opportuniiy to visit with you in the near future about our cost reduction plans, strategic environmental initiatives and other Metropolitan Counci l issues. If you would like to contact me about Council issues or arrange a meeting, I can be reached at (612) 475-1388. Sincerely, Mary Hill Smith Council Member District 3 Enclosure: Committed to Organizational Effectiveness Cc: City Council/Town Board Members, Finance Directors, Administrators, Clerks, Public Works Directors 230 East Fifth Slrefl Si. Paul. Minnesota 55101-1626 1651161/2 1000 Fax602l 550 TDD/TTY 291 0904 Metro Info Line 602-1898 An Eifuat OpfUfTf unify En\f*kiyer