Funding Reclaimed Water Improvement Unit (RWIU) Projects
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the funding of the Reclaimed Water Improvement Unit (RWIU) Projects.
Definition
- a. Reclaimed Water Improvement Unit (RWIU). A legal mechanism for establishing a special assessment district to finance the design and construction of a reclaimed water distribution system within a subdivision.
- b. Reclaimed Water Facilities - Transmission. Those pipes, valves, fittings, and appurtenances used to convey reclaimed water from a wastewater treatment plant or pump station to reclaimed water distribution facilities.
- c. Reclaimed Water Facilities - Distribution. Those pipes, valves, fittings, service connections, and appurtenances used to convey reclaimed water transmission facilities to customers within a subdivision.
Policy
For Hillsborough County to provide Reclaimed Water Improvement Unit (RWIU) Projects to residential subdivisions, two-fold funding will be required:
- Reclaimed Water Facilities - Transmission. These will be funded from existing Utility Enterprise Fund Bond proceeds through specific Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects. If bond proceeds are not sufficient, other Utilities Enterprise funds may be used upon BOCC approval.
- Reclaimed Water Facilities - Distribution. The initial funds to design and construct these may come from either:
- a. Utility System Rate Stabilization Fund;
- b. Short-term bond anticipation notes (BAN) and/or,
- c. Other Utility Enterprise funds approved by the BOCC.
A budget amendment will be presented to the BOCC to appropriate the initial amounts from the above-referenced funds (#2) and thereafter if necessary.
The Utility System funds and BAN may be refinanced with long-term, fixed rate assessment district bonds. Funding, regardless of its source, will be repaid from assessments on property
within the RWIU. The choice of financing alternatives will be determined on a case-by-case basis depending upon the economic feasibility to the homeowners and the economic and credit impact on the Utility Enterprise System.
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the Public Utilities Department, under the direction of the County Administrator, to be the coordinating agency for this policy and to ensure compliance.