Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
7 <br /> may make a decision on whether to proceed with AMI at our March 24, 2016 Board meeting. <br /> They will send additional information soon and invited questions and feedback. <br /> Terri Buckner reviewed the following information: <br /> Affordability Outreach <br /> On October 22, 2015 we approved a plan to implement affordability outreach on a permanent <br /> basis in 2016. The program is designed to increase awareness of options it reduce OWASA <br /> bills and empower low-income customers and local agencies with information and tools for bill <br /> reduction. <br /> The program will draw on experience with our pilot program, which included work with 14 <br /> community agencies including Orange County, the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and <br /> social services and affordable housing agencies; and a water conservation pilot project with six <br /> low-income customers. Key upcoming items will include expanding our partnership to involve <br /> rental property owners and managers, continuing to work with partners, helping customers in <br /> need and proactive water conservation outreach. <br /> Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) <br /> OWASA staff is working with Orange County staff on this issue, and the Board looks forward <br /> to learning more about the MST soon. The 2009 OWASA Board of Directors voted to support <br /> the MST on OWASA lands. <br /> Financial management/rates <br /> Fiscal Year 2016 is the fourth consecutive year with no increase in monthly water and sewer <br /> rates. They continue to meet their financial performance objectives including our bond rating of <br /> AA+. They are considering potential changes to our rate structure to help ensure that service <br /> affordability, conservation, and equity across customer classes continue to be addressed and <br /> that we have the financial capacity to sustain our infrastructure and services. If changes are <br /> proposed, there will be a public engagement process. <br /> Biosolids <br /> On October 8, 2015 they decided to move toward recycling about 75% of our biosolids in <br /> "liquid" form on approved farms (when practical), and recycling about 25% in dewatered form <br /> at a composting facility in Chatham County. Our past practice was to apply about 50% of our <br /> biosolids on farmland and dewater 50% for composting. Our Class A biosolids continue to <br /> meet Federal standards for Exceptional Quality. <br /> This approach will continue their partnership with local farmers and maintain flexibility for <br /> alternative biosolids management strategies in the future. <br /> Care to Share Customer Assistance Program (formerly Taste of Hope) <br /> About 5% of our customers donate monthly with bill payments. We received about $4,600 in <br /> 2015. We also encourage citizens to give directly to the Inter-Faith Council (IFC). In response <br /> to an appeal by Executive Director Ed Kerwin to various businesses in July 2015, the IFC <br /> received about $1,500 for the Care to Share program. Marketing included information in our <br /> newsletter, bills, on the OWASA and IFC websites, and asking new customers to sign up as <br /> donors. <br />