Conference Agenda

In 2022, the City of Spokane Valley was operating its stormwater utility with the lowest monthly stormwater rates for residents in Washington State. Osborn Consulting partnered with the City to develop a proposed stormwater rate structure that encourages the City to proactively operate the utility. A key to success was utilizing an engineering-led team of experts in stormwater management, coupled with FCS Group’s knowledge of rate development. The resulting success was when City Council voted to raise stormwater fees for the first time in close to 15 years.

Stormwater comprehensive planning – maybe you do it every year, maybe the dust is starting to collect on your latest plan. Either way, planning for adequate funding and practical stormwater capital improvement projects (CIPs) can often make you feel like you’re drowning (pun intended). This presentation will throw out the life preserver and share how the City of Spokane Valley achieved this incredible investment in their stormwater utility program and how other agencies have approached CIP planning.

Spokane Valley has experienced significant population increase in recent years and is subject to increasing regulatory requirements for stormwater. Having not increased their stormwater utility fee in close to 15 years, the City hired Osborn Consulting to lead a consultant team in developing a proposed fee increase and a stormwater utility program master plan. Our goal was to establish a plan for the City to efficiently manage the capital improvement programs, operation and maintenance, retrofits, and level of service for the stormwater utility.

The presentation will cover key concepts utilized by the team in developing the City’s Stormwater Utility Program Master Plan and other stormwater comprehensive plans. This includes 1) how to approach identifying and planning for implementation of new Ecology requirements, 2) strategizing CIP development and long-term phasing, and 3) identifying programmatic needs. Finally, we will review the team’s approach to aligning all the “new initiatives” over the long term to develop a sustainable rate structure for the community with a focus on balancing growth and environmental stewardship.

Utilities throughout the United States are facing unprecedented challenges including aging infrastructure, water supply insecurity, prolonged drought, uncertainty, water quality improvements, and more stringent environmental regulations. Customer rate increases are needed to protect our vital infrastructure and build a resilient future for our communities. While conversations regarding rate increases are rarely convenient, they are necessary to build political and community support.

How do we make responsible investments that meet the needs of our systems and communities? How do we communicate the complex drivers for rate increases? How do we facilitate conversations in which customers feel heard and respected? These questions are top of mind for local leaders and decision-makers as they explore creative and adaptable solutions.

As a uniquely integrated engineering and communication firm, WSC has extensive experience working collaboratively with clients to build understanding around vital infrastructure investments amongst their rate payers and building community trust.
Our strategic communications professionals will share strategies and best practices for effective rates outreach and engagement, including the following:

• Considering community values and priorities when making infrastructure investments and structuring rates
• Leading a transparent and thoughtful process that results in defensible decision-making
• Leveraging data and storytelling to showcase investment needs
• Proactively engaging key stakeholders including high-users, influential community members, fixed-income customers, and more
• Centering tactics in empathy and understanding
• Directly addressing tough questions and key concerns
• Communicating the risk of deferred maintenance and investment to our vital water and wastewater systems

Attendees will walk away with the following skills and tools:

1. A framework for building community trust and support for rate adjustments
2. Lessons learned -- a collection of case studies
3. Tools and resources to consider in developing your “rates outreach toolset”
4. An appreciation for two-way engagement when considering infrastructure investments.

These tools can support districts and agencies of all sizes in creating effective communication and engagement strategies for needed utility rate increases.