The Kauai Department of Water is faced with similar challenges that all of us are: not enough money to finance the needs that are in front of us. I went to their board meeting yesterday. The board did a responsible job of reviewing the budget and expenses as the department is struggling to shift to a modern accounting system. I learned about the Build America Bonds, the Facility Reserve Capacity fund, and that the raising of the water rates did not create the expected revenue increase. People decreased their water consumption, so the water sales dropped to 87% of the previous revenue amount. Quality questions were raised and discussed. The acting water department manager, Kirk Saiki, was kind enough to spend about an hour with me after the meeting answering my questions regarding the funding, debt service requirements, and strategies for managing our water needs in a contracting economy with aging infrastructure. The Kalaheo water crisis is an example of what they are working to avoid. I learned a lot and enjoyed the experience. kauaiwater.org/page2.asp
Posted on: Sat, 28 Jun 2014 07:09:13 +0000
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