Water Department
FY 2023 Annual Budget
Department Description
The Water Distribution Department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the City's Water Distribution System which consists of a network of approximately 386 miles of underground water pipes. This department also installs water services for residential, commercial and industrial customers. Additionally, this department provides the City's regulatory required response to utility line location requests for City underground water and sewer pipes, electrical cables and fiber optic lines. The administrative branch of this department responds to customer complaints and maintains records for all the department's activities.
Organizational Chart
Department Mission
Provide a safe and effective delivery system for potable water produced by the water treatment plant and reduce service interruptions through proper maintenance of the distribution system. Maintain accurate measuring methods of the water delivered to customers.
Goals and Objectives
- Repair water main breaks.
- Increase water meter testing to improve meter accuracy.
- Exercise hydrants and valves.
- Reduce loss of unbilled water.
FY 2022 Highlights
Certify meter techs on bench meter testing operations.
GPS, flow test and paint 250 fire hydrants and exercise 300 valves.
Developed US Highway 59 water line extension plan.
Step program for employee retention.
Performance Metrics
Departmental Efficiencies
Re-organization of crews to reduce customer outages, blockages and tap installations.
Meter testing for efficiency ratio so meters can be re-incorporated into system versus replacement.
Water certification via on-line courses.
FY 2023 New Program/Initiatives
Water meter replacement program with initial push of 2,000 to 3,000 residential meters.
FY 2023 Budget Highlights
The Water Department budget request equals $6,552,645 an increase of $1,545,166 or 30.9%, compared to Fiscal Year 2022 Adopted Budget, $5,007,479. The Fiscal Year 2023 budget includes one-time expenses of $2,414,210 and $4,138,435 in recurring expense, an increase of $132,353 or 3.3%, from last year's recurring budget.
Personnel increase is the net result of $28,158 decrease in baseline adjustments and $55,367 increase for Phase III of Compensation Plan. (Baseline adjustments: include payroll reorganizations, new hires, retirements that took place in the prior fiscal year, as well as longevity and TMRS rate that will be captured in this fiscal year.)
Total Expenditures for Corresponding Fiscal Year Presented
Department Full-Time Employees
- In Fiscal Year 2021, one (1) Assistant Director was added and reorganized into a CIP Manager.
- In Fiscal Year 2022, Public Works Specialist was reorganized into an Assistant Director.
- In Fiscal Year 2023, Assistant Director was reorganized into a Operations & Maintenance Manager.
- In Fiscal Year 2023, CIP Manager was reorganized into a City Engineer.
Department High-Level Descriptions of Personnel:
Director of Public Works/City Engineer (1) - Oversees Public Works Department. Develops budget and determines future needs and path for City. Develop City-wide Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
City Engineer (1) - Leads the Engineering Department and is a principal team member in the areas of capital projects, infrastructure design, construction, and maintenance. This position is responsible for contributing to the planning, design, and executing/managing design of the projects associated with the City’s water systems, wastewater systems, transportation systems, and drainage systems. Provides professional engineering leadership and technical services in connection with planning and executing a wide variety of public works improvement programs.
Operations and Maintenance Manager (2) - Oversees and directs division managers. Customer and employee relations. Assists in work schedules and budget items for repairs to infrastructure.
Administrative Supervisor (1) - Oversee Administrative Assistants, tracks pay vouchers; in charge of hiring process for Public Works and all administrative duties.
Administrative Assistant (2) - Accept phone calls, take and enter work orders, write pay vouchers, assist staff with clerical issues.
Assistant City Engineer (1) - Oversee engineering projects, assist in CIP development, prepare budget, project design and contract management.
Customer Service Manager (1) - Oversee the pretreatment program and difficult customer service calls. Manage Customer Service and Environmental Specialists.
Public Works Engineer (1) - Prepare plans and manage projects through construction. Review private development plans for compliance to adopted design standards and specifications.
Inspector (1) - Inspect construction projects, including subdivision developments, for compliance to plans and specifications. Keep daily reports and verify pay quantities submitted by contractor. Resolve citizen issues during project construction.
Utilities Supervisor (2) - Assigns, directs and controls personnel performing operation, maintenance and construction activities in the water distribution system. Recommends budget expenditures. Public relations.
Utilities Crew Chief (3) - Directs and participates in the work activities of personnel performing operation, maintenance and construction activities in the water distribution system. Public relations.
Utilities Equipment Operator (3) - Operates construction equipment and assists in the construction, operation and maintenance of the water distribution system.
Utilities Maintenance Worker (7) - Provides manual labor used in the construction, operation and maintenance of the water distribution system.
Meter Technician (3) - Installs, repairs and tests meters used to measure customer consumption.
Locator (2) - Locates and marks all buried City water lines, sewer lines, telecommunications lines, storm sewer lines and electrical lines, to minimize damage by excavators.
Recommended/Not Recommended List
*** NOTE: Other items have been requested, however, they are not listed below due to the fact that the amount requested is in line for normal operating funding. ***