Page 54 - City of Watauga FY22 Adopted Budget
P. 54

FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL FORECAST



               Water and Wastewater Fund

               Revenues in this enterprise operation are based on projected rates sufficient to
               cover operations in each of the future years.  Rates are based on projected cost
               increases from Fort Worth and North Richland Hills as well as baseline increases
               for  the  city’s  operations,  including  salary  plan  adjustments,  health  insurance
               increases,  and  changes  in  depreciation  expense.    Future  projected  rate
               increases for both water and wastewater are shown.

               The operating budget includes funding for the outstanding water and wastewater
               debt  issuances  and  funding  to  continue  the  annual  water  and  wastewater
               infrastructure  improvements.       The water and sewer fund has been in  recovery
               mode for several years due to inflow and infiltration costs in prior years.   A water
               and  sewer  rate  study  is  conducted  annually  to  ensure  future  revenues  will  be
               sufficient to cover costs.

               Water and Wastewater Debt Service Fund

               Debt service transfers are based on current debt outstanding and projected debt
               for  the  continuation  of  the  waterline  and  wastewater  line  infrastructure
               improvements.  Debt is issued to fund various water and sewer projects in the
               coming  years.    Debt  payments  related  to  these  issuances  will  be  paid  from
               system revenues.

               Drainage Fund

               The Drainage Utility fund provides for salary plan adjustments, health insurance
               increases,  and  drainage  improvement  projects.    User  fees  are  expected  to
               remain flat, and projects will be paid from user fees when possible.  Funding for
               Whitley Road drainage projects continue through FY2023.  There are two other
               major projects scheduled to be paid from drainage rates in the next few years to
               include Bunker Hill and Astor Heights.

               Equipment Replacement Fund


               Due to operating revenue constraints, funding for equipment may shift to debt to
               relieve the General Fund operating fund.  This is currently being evaluated for
               future  years,  thus  is  The  Equipment  Replacement  Fund  is  not  included  in  this
               year’s 5-year plan.

               CLOSING COMMENTS
               This document is a plan for the future.  Many things will certainly change and this
               document will need to be adjusted accordingly.  Future capital projects and the




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