Rapid growth in the City of Reno has created a significant need for capital projects to renew and replace wastewater facilities and add capacity for future expansion.

Red Oak Consulting, an environmental engineering consulting firm and subsidiary of Malcolm Pirnie, completed a financial planning study to help manage the inevitable rise in customer rates. In order to forecast the future costs of expanding operations, they conducted an impact study fee that determined the adequacy of existing rates and fees. Finally, the team optimized the rate structure and identified potential non-rate sources of funds that would result in the lowest impact on utility rates.

Red Oak’s interactive approach facilitated development of a rate structure that meets the city’s goals of rate defensibility and equitable payment for growth.