FG Solutions works on a variety of projects across the US. Here is just some of what we've been up to lately. Contact us for more details about these or other projects.

Snohomish County Surface Water Management Division, Everett
Seattle, WAshington

2009 RATE STUDY
FG Solutions's staff managed a 2009 effort that successfully increased annual service charges from $33 to $90 for single-family residences. This increase was needed to meet new regulatory requirements which continue to provide a wide array of services and fund capital improvements, improving the drainage system and water quality in Snohomish County.

2014 Service District Assessment Study
This study simultaneously addresses service charge and level of service issues. The level of service evaluation defined the overall rate level for the Division’s four service areas: drainage, water quality, floodplain services, and habitat. Service charge issues will also consider geographic fee boundaries, rate structure, funding for flood protection and ESA-related activities, and infrastructure replacement. 

2017 Utility Business Plan
This plan includes elements of the 2014 Service District Assessment Study, with an emphasis on benchmarking to support service level evaluations, public engagement, and a stakeholder advisory group. FG Solutions is leading the level of service evaluation task, and is a Senior Advisor in other aspects of the project, defining existing services, benchmarking, rate structure evaluations, and public/stakeholder outreach.

City of San Bernardino, CAlifornia

FG Solutions's staff has been providing utility rate consulting and management consulting services to the City of San Bernardino and the semi-autonomous San Bernardino Municipal Water Department since 2009.

Water Rate Studies
FG Solutions's staff completed Water Rate Studies in 2010 and 2016. Both studies allowed the Department to continue providing reliable water services and implement capital programs in a financially sustainable manner.

Wastewater Rate Studies
The City of San Bernardino provides wastewater collection services. FG Solutions completed a rate study for the wastewater collection system utility. The previous rates were not sufficient to address a much-needed condition assessment of aging sewer lines and make the needed repairs, so FG Solutions provided a defensible rate study that secured a more than 100% rate increase so that the City could begin to make sewer line repairs.

Solid Waste Rate Study
Revenue requirement and cost-of-service analyses were completed for the City’s solid waste utility to equitably charge for retail curbside collection from residential and commercial customers. The study addressed long-term capital improvement needs, changes in refuse disposal costs, and revised collection routing that affected the costs to provide service to the various customer classes.

City of Rialto, CAlifornia

FG Solutions has provided utility rate consulting and management consulting services to the City of Rialto, California since 2010.

Budget-Based Rate Evaluation and Utility Rate Study
This study includes revenue requirement and cost-of-service analyses, the development of rate structure alternatives, an analysis of developing indoor and outdoor allocations for Rialto’s water system customers, and a unit cost analysis for all of the City’s sources: City-owned wells; a surface water treatment plant jointly owned but operated by an adjacent utility; wells owned by others; and State Project Water sold to the City by the local State Water Project contractor. This Rate Study is developing cost-substantiated rate tiers in recognition of the San Juan Capistrano court decision, and it recognizes the effect of the recent drought on water utility operations and revenues. FG Solutions is also acting as an extension of staff for the City to support the City’s management of the project.  This Rate Study is funded by a grant from the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA).

Extraterritorial Rate Study
The goal of this study was to equitably charge customers located outside the Rialto City limits for wastewater service. A utility basis methodology was used to recognize that these are non-owner customers of the wastewater system. The extraterritorial rates were calculated using a return on rate base methodology and resulted in an approximate 30 percent surcharge over in-city rates. This successful effort was accepted by the adjacent City where the extraterritorial customers lived, avoiding an intergovernmental dispute, and providing revenue certainty for the City.

Procurement Assistance and Rate Study
The City of Rialto was investigating alternatives for procurement of water and wastewater capital delivery and operations services. As part of this investigation, FG Solutions staff supported the development of an RFQ/RFP to select a concessionaire, assisted in the evaluation of responses, and supported Concession Agreement preparation and negotiation. The financial planning work included evaluating the potential financial impacts of Concession Agreement terms. Separate water and wastewater rate studies were prepared, incorporating changing capital costs and demographics, water consumption patterns, significant price elasticity, the City’s financial performance metrics, and the concessionaire’s financial performance metrics. The Concession Agreement is currently in its fifth year.