Utility Rates
 A public utility is an entity that provides service to the public for which it collects a fee based on the service provided. Water, sanitary sewers, storm drainage and solid waste collection services may be classified as utilities; and service charges may be levied. To be classified as a public utility function, the service provided must be: (1) Measurable and necessary, and (2) There must be an equitable means of determining the share of the cost of the service to be allocated to each user of the service.
MuniFinancial staff in Washington, working with the agency's engineers or with engineers from Willdan, an affiliated company, provides the following services:
- Researching services and capital needs to be funded through the utility rates;
- Preparing necessary documentation to establish rate structures, including cutting edge modeling based on sound economic and engineering principles;
- Defining necessary requirements for a parcel to be exempt-public and institutional parcels may be included;
- Assisting in determining the way the charges will be collected, either through direct billing on a monthly or bi-monthly basis or, if possible, in conjunction with the property taxes statement;
- Developing a policy for responding to unpaid bills through the discontinuing of service; and
- Where bonds are to be issued, provide support for a community outreach program, assist in analyzing the rates required to support the bond amount and work closely with the financing team to produce necessary documentation.
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