Logo   WPCA Brookfield, CT



The Usage Charge for the Sewer as a Utility

Operating Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012-2013.

Also see:
 Fee Schedules
 Rate increase 2012
 Why the increase?

This is the budget that is approved for the time period July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013. The largest share of income is from usage charges. The rate increased from $85 per quarter (set September 2009) to $95 per quarter beginning September 2012. See a page created to answer the question, "Why the increase?" 

Some properties in the sewer system area, but not hooked on, pay a Danbury Plant Charge. This charge is to contribute to a debt service to Danbury. This debt will be satisfied July, 2013. [More ...]

There are other minor sources of income coming from late payers and application fees that are applied to the engineering, legal and inspection for a property that is new or improved on the sewer system. 

Income:

Current User Fee Income  $ 1,091,276
Current Plant Charge Income  51,949
User Delinquent Interest  14,160
User Lien fees  3,500
Application/Misc. Fees  14,340
Interest Income  3,000
   
Total Revenues $ 1,178,225

Expenses:

Personnel  $ 395,327
Office Operation  26,000
Field Operations  60,000
Utilities  60,000
Outside Services  103,000
Danbury Processing  310,000
Contribution to Capital  91,898
Debt Service, Danbury  132,000
   
Total Expenses  $ 1,178,225

As to expenses ... 

  • Personnel costs make up the largest share of total annual expenses. There are two office and two field personnel maintaining the Brookfield WPCA enterprise. This line item includes benefits and retirement funding. The head count for the WPCA has remained the same for over 10 years. This is due to increased office and field efficiencies over the years inspite of the fact the system has expanded more than 50% since 2009 with the competion of several projects. 
  • Field Operations includes minor maintenance and upkeep like landscaping.
  • Utilities are costs to run and monitor the pumping systems.
  • Outside Services include engineering, legal, accounting and audit support. 
  • The Danbury Processing item is the cost for the regional plant to process sewer water flow. This is the second largest cost for the Brookfield WPCA. Brookfield contributes about 3% of the total flow to Danbury bearing 3% of the total cost each year.
  • The Contribution to Capital is collected in excess of the cost of operation to cover future replacement cost of warn pumps, pipes, trucks and other equipment to run the Brookfield sewer system safely and efficiently. This is consistant with good practice to secure the future without any surprise assessments. The total book assets for the Brookfield sewer system is about $10MM. The replacement cost is 3 to 4 times this accounting number.