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7 <br /> 1 <br /> 2 Affordability Outreach <br /> 3 On October 22, 2015 we approved a plan to implement affordability outreach on a permanent <br /> 4 basis in 2016. The program is designed to increase awareness of options it reduce OWASA <br /> 5 bills and empower low-income customers and local agencies with information and tools for bill <br /> 6 reduction. <br /> 7 The program will draw on experience with our pilot program, which included work with 14 <br /> 8 community agencies including Orange County, the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and <br /> 9 social services and affordable housing agencies; and a water conservation pilot project with six <br /> 10 low-income customers. Key upcoming items will include expanding our partnership to involve <br /> 11 rental property owners and managers, continuing to work with partners, helping customers in <br /> 12 need and proactive water conservation outreach. <br /> 13 <br /> 14 Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) <br /> 15 OWASA staff is working with Orange County staff on this issue, and the Board looks forward to <br /> 16 learning more about the MST soon. The 2009 OWASA Board of Directors voted to support the <br /> 17 MST on OWASA lands. <br /> 18 <br /> 19 Financial management/rates <br /> 20 Fiscal Year 2016 is the fourth consecutive year with no increase in monthly water and sewer <br /> 21 rates. They continue to meet their financial performance objectives including our bond rating of <br /> 22 AA+. They are considering potential changes to our rate structure to help ensure that service <br /> 23 affordability, conservation, and equity across customer classes continue to be addressed and <br /> 24 that we have the financial capacity to sustain our infrastructure and services. If changes are <br /> 25 proposed, there will be a public engagement process. <br /> 26 <br /> 27 Biosolids <br /> 28 On October 8, 2015 they decided to move toward recycling about 75% of our biosolids in <br /> 29 "liquid" form on approved farms (when practical), and recycling about 25% in dewatered form at <br /> 30 a composting facility in Chatham County. Our past practice was to apply about 50% of our <br /> 31 biosolids on farmland and dewater 50% for composting. Our Class A biosolids continue to meet <br /> 32 Federal standards for Exceptional Quality. <br /> 33 <br /> 34 This approach will continue their partnership with local farmers and maintain flexibility for <br /> 35 alternative biosolids management strategies in the future. <br /> 36 <br /> 37 Care to Share Customer Assistance Program (formerly Taste of Hope) <br /> 38 About 5% of our customers donate monthly with bill payments. We received about $4,600 in <br /> 39 2015. We also encourage citizens to give directly to the Inter-Faith Council (IFC). In response <br /> 40 to an appeal by Executive Director Ed Kerwin to various businesses in July 2015, the IFC <br /> 41 received about $1,500 for the Care to Share program. Marketing included information in our <br /> 42 newsletter, bills, on the OWASA and IFC websites, and asking new customers to sign up as <br /> 43 donors. <br /> 44 <br /> 45 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the Care to Share Customer Assistance program is <br /> 46 funded by private contributions only. <br /> 47 Terri Buckner said yes, adding OWASA is not allowed to contribute to this fund in any <br /> 48 way. <br /> 49 Commissioner Jacobs said several BOCC members have asked if OWASA could re- <br /> 50 visit the purchase and sale agreement. He said there is no one at the University of North <br />