Page 11 - Sept/Oct 2015 Vol.33 No.3
P. 11
for the development of the plan, may be government. Preparation periods may last • The plan will provide continuity and
requested or initiated by the consulting from four to six months and up to a year sense of direction to new members of
professional as needed. to finalize, for larger or more complicated the Utility or local government.
systems.
Who prepares The Plan? • The average customer or user should
What are the benefits ultimately pay less user fees as a result
An outside consulting professional is of The Plan? of implementing the actionable items
often associated with the preparation of within the plan.
the plan. Local planning officials, and • The plan serves as an outlined structure
other members of the local government, stating the Utility’s goals and objectives, • The growth and sustainability of the
are usually involved in this process of helps focus the Utility on maintaining Utility is no longer the responsibility of
preparation. Experience with industry regulatory compliance, and provides a the Utility Manager, but rather of the
standards, compliance with local, state comprehensive list of major, projected local community and government.
and federal regulations, and effective projects.
evaluation of alternatives, are crucial • Utilizing an outside consulting firm to
qualifications required in maximizing • The plan will provide local politicians develop the plan provides a third party,
the effectiveness of the report. The final an assessment and compliance status independent opinion, which mitigates
plan is typically reviewed by the Utility with respect to the system’s growth and local government politics, and takes
Manager and staff, and then submitted immediate needs for budgeting and away sole-source responsibility from
to the local government body for planning purposes. Utility Managers and staff.
consideration or approval (in case of a
major pending project). • The Utility’s vision is made possible by • The plan can be a useful tool for local
dividing more complicated and long- chambers of commerce staff and other
How long does it take to term tasks into more manageable and local government officials in recruiting
generate The Plan? economically feasible projects, which large, potential customers within the
are strategically put into place to match planning area. The study can be shared
The plan preparation involves the the system’s growth and financial needs. or provided to potential customers to
work of team members, the gathering show proof of available system capacity
of information, system visits and • The savings from having a well- and/or future plans for growth.
evaluations, cost estimating, consideration constructed plan will be realized,
of local preferences, projected time frame mainly due to the strategic planning • Projects can be designed with future
and financial adjustments, along with involved, the evaluation of alternatives provision to accommodate the schedule
plan review and approval by the local and chronological sequence of events identified by the plan, avoiding multiple
optimizing use of funds and other projects in the same area with similar
resources with needed work. scopes of work.
Continued on page 12
Tennessee Stormwater Association
Annual Conference 2015
“Fall Into Green”
October 20-22, 2015
Fall Creek Falls State Park
tnstormwater.org
View online at tnpublicworks.com 11
requested or initiated by the consulting from four to six months and up to a year sense of direction to new members of
professional as needed. to finalize, for larger or more complicated the Utility or local government.
systems.
Who prepares The Plan? • The average customer or user should
What are the benefits ultimately pay less user fees as a result
An outside consulting professional is of The Plan? of implementing the actionable items
often associated with the preparation of within the plan.
the plan. Local planning officials, and • The plan serves as an outlined structure
other members of the local government, stating the Utility’s goals and objectives, • The growth and sustainability of the
are usually involved in this process of helps focus the Utility on maintaining Utility is no longer the responsibility of
preparation. Experience with industry regulatory compliance, and provides a the Utility Manager, but rather of the
standards, compliance with local, state comprehensive list of major, projected local community and government.
and federal regulations, and effective projects.
evaluation of alternatives, are crucial • Utilizing an outside consulting firm to
qualifications required in maximizing • The plan will provide local politicians develop the plan provides a third party,
the effectiveness of the report. The final an assessment and compliance status independent opinion, which mitigates
plan is typically reviewed by the Utility with respect to the system’s growth and local government politics, and takes
Manager and staff, and then submitted immediate needs for budgeting and away sole-source responsibility from
to the local government body for planning purposes. Utility Managers and staff.
consideration or approval (in case of a
major pending project). • The Utility’s vision is made possible by • The plan can be a useful tool for local
dividing more complicated and long- chambers of commerce staff and other
How long does it take to term tasks into more manageable and local government officials in recruiting
generate The Plan? economically feasible projects, which large, potential customers within the
are strategically put into place to match planning area. The study can be shared
The plan preparation involves the the system’s growth and financial needs. or provided to potential customers to
work of team members, the gathering show proof of available system capacity
of information, system visits and • The savings from having a well- and/or future plans for growth.
evaluations, cost estimating, consideration constructed plan will be realized,
of local preferences, projected time frame mainly due to the strategic planning • Projects can be designed with future
and financial adjustments, along with involved, the evaluation of alternatives provision to accommodate the schedule
plan review and approval by the local and chronological sequence of events identified by the plan, avoiding multiple
optimizing use of funds and other projects in the same area with similar
resources with needed work. scopes of work.
Continued on page 12
Tennessee Stormwater Association
Annual Conference 2015
“Fall Into Green”
October 20-22, 2015
Fall Creek Falls State Park
tnstormwater.org
View online at tnpublicworks.com 11
