Building on the information provided by RCAP,s popular Utility Management and Financial Management for Local Officials Seminars, this course offers a more interactive approach to learning how to prepare an asset management plan, incorporate it into a budget, and utilize the budget in establishing rates for a small water or sewer system.  Participants will be able to evaluate financial needs of operating a water or sewer utility and set rates for services that cover the cost of operations, maintenance, repair, and replacement of the infrastructure assets. Participants will consider actual cost and changes in local conditions as a base for budgeting expenses, debt service and required reserves. Additionally, the participants will consider the capital needs of their infrastructure and the availability of loans and grants to cover capital costs and develop a rate that fits the needs of the community.  Participants will determine short and long term strategies for financing the needs of the utility and be able to deal with customer expectations and concerns.  RCAP will provide a manual of the coarse with a tool kit that will include both hard copy and electronic versions of the seminar.  Additionally, RCAP will provide software that can be used for setting rates and managing the assets of the utility.  It is recommended, but not required, that participants attend the Utility Management seminar prior to attending this course.  For detailed information including dates and times for this seminar, click here for brochure.

Participants will learn the basics of managing a water or sewer utility to develop technical, managerial and financial capacity (TMF). Participants will be able to identify their responsibilities-operations, rules, open meeting laws, staffing, hiring consultants, other laws impacting small water and waste water systems, financing projects with loans and grants, setting rates, records, income expenses, budgeting, planning etc. Participants will be able to develop capacity for maintaining or achieving compliance with laws and regulations, and to provide a  safe, quality product with reasonable rates. RCAP will provide a manual of the course with a tool kit that will include both hard copy and electronic versions of the seminar.  For detailed information, including dates and times for this seminar, click here for brochure.