SUBJECT
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Final 2026 Business Plan Report and Member FY2027 Budgeting Information (Information)
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DESCRIPTION
The Business Plan is an adaptive management planning tool that will evolve and be updated annually as assumptions become actual data points and new information for future assumptions becomes clearer. These updates encompass any changes in funding, policies, and member water needs from the previous year. The key areas that are anticipated to drive changes in the business pan include:
• Financial changes (interest rate changes, actual expenditures or other changes in timing of funding)
• Demand allocations and future supply needs
• Spending/costs
• Additional grants, loans and appropriations received
This Business Plan update is intended to focus on funding for Phase I of both the Southeast and West Polk Wellfield projects. The funding summary for the total project has been updated to include several changes;
1) Includes actual bid data received to date for Southeast project
2) Results include a 10-year financial forecast of member payments
3) Water delivery assumed to equal 100% of each member’s reserved capacity
4) Maintains third party operator estimates for operational expenses
5) Reflects a $44 million decrease in loan costs compared to last years plan
6) Includes updates to financing plan, including SRF debt forgiveness
7) Includes costs for a second Injection Well for the Southeast Wellfield project.
The Business Plan provides information for members to begin the FY2027 budget process. As a part of the FY2027 budget process, the PRWC also recommends the addition of a new contract employee - Conservation Program Manager ($65,000) and additional funding for the Combined Projects Budget as follows:
1) Peace River Reservoir Feasibility Project - $225,000
2) Peace River Water Use Permit application - $275,000
3) Five-year Regional Water Supply Planning process - $500,000
4) Continued support for Alafia Water Supply Project - $50,000
5) Funds for other technical assistance - $50,000
Costs for the Conservation Program Manager and Combined Projects Budget are added to member costs resulting from the Business Plan process.
The 2026 Business Plan will be provided to Board Members as a separate report and is not included in the March agenda packet.
RECOMMENDATION
This item is for the Board’s Information only and no action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact to members for FY2027 is attached as Exhibit A. These are the amounts each member should plan to budget for FY2027.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Murray Hamilton
Robert Beltran