Portland Utility Board July 7, 2020 Cecelia Huynh, Finance & Support Services Director Gabriel Solmer, Deputy Director 1
COVID 19 Impacts o Workforce o Financial Assistance o Revenue Impacts o Cost Controls o Moving Forward FY 2020-21 Rate Increase 2
Workforce o Nearly half of the workforce is teleworking o Field crews – • Quaranteam – limit same staffing to small groups • Limited # of employees per vehicles • Cleaning protocols • Personal protective equipment – gloves, face coverings, etc o Restrict access to key treatment and operations facilities o Customer Service – • Staff are teleworking and assisting customers 3
Financial Assistance o Ceased all shut-off o Restored water service o Waived reconnection fees o Suspended late fees charges o Halted debt collection o Offering no interest, flexible payment plans o Relaxed qualification requirements for Financial Assistance o Small Business Program for Utility Relief 4
FY 2020 Revenue Impacts o Demand • Commercial class • Estimated $3.5 million o Late Fees Revenues • No shut offs • Estimated $735,000 o Financial Assistance • Low Income Discount Bad Debt o Accounts Receivable o 5
FY 2020 Costs Control o Suspended merit pay increases for non- represented employees o Limit recruitments to position meeting critical needs criteria o Suspended all travels o Maximize on-line trainings o Minimize materials and supplies purchases o Seek reimbursements for COVID-19 related expenses 6
Moving Forward o Workforce • Support teleworking for as many staff as possible • Support staff that must report to city work sites with strict operating protocols o Closely monitor financial status • Monitor demand to project revenue shortfalls • Take early action to control costs o Financial Assistance • Continue to support customers 7
FY 2020-21 Rate Increase o 8.6% rate increase with Requested Budget o Mayor’s Proposed Budget Adjustments • Non-Represented Personnel Costs reductions • Eliminated 11 added field positions • No inflationary adjustments for materials & services • Reduced debt service on next revenue bonds • Reduced Interagencies and General Fund Overhead o Council approved 6.5% rate increase 8
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