HomeMy Public PortalAboutExhibit MSD 61A - MSD's Response to Second Discovery Request of the Rate CommissionExhibit MSD 61A
BEFORE THE RATE COMMISSION OF THE
METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
MSD'S RESPONSE TO SECOND DISCOVERY REQUEST
OF THE RATE COMMISSION
The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Response
ISSUE: WASTEWATER RATE CHANGE PROCEEDING
WITNESS: METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
SPONSORING PARTY: RATE COMMISSION
DATE PREPARED: MARCH 20, 2019
Lushly & Baer, P.C.
714 Locust Street
St. Louis, Missouri 63101
Exhibit MSD 61A
BEFORE THE RATE COMMISSION
OF THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
For Consideration of a )
Wastewater Rate Change Proposal by )
The Rate Commission of The Metropolitan )
St. Louis Sewer District )
MARCH 11, 2019 SECOND DISCOVERY REQUEST
OF THE RATE COMMISSION
The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
Pursuant to § 7.280 and § 7.290 of the Charter Plan of The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
(the "Charter Plan"), Restated Operational Rule 3(7) and Procedural Schedule § 16 and § 17 of
the Rate Commission of The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District ("Rate Commission"), The
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District ("District") hereby responds to the March 11, 2019 Second
Discovery Request of The Rate Commission for additional information and answers regarding
the Rate Change Notice dated March 4, 2019 (the "Rate Change Notice").
1
Exhibit MSD 61A
BEFORE THE RATE COMMISSION
OF THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
For Consideration of a Wastewater
Rate Change Proposal by the Rate Commission
of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
SECOND DISCOVERY REQUEST
OF THE RATE COMMISSION
Pursuant to §§ 7.280 and 7.290 of the Charter Plan of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer
District (the "Charter Plan"), Restated Operational Rule § 3(7) and Procedural Schedule §§ 16
and 17 of the Rate Commission of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (the "Rate
Commission"), the Rate Commission requests additional information and answers from the
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (the "District") regarding the Rate Change Proposal dated
March 4, 2019 (the "Rate Change Proposal").
The District is requested to amend or supplement the responses to this Discovery
Request, if the District obtains information upon the basis of which (a) the District knows that a
response was incorrect when made, or (b) the District knows that the response, though correct
when made, is no longer correct.
The following Discovery Requests are deemed continuing so as to require the District to
serve timely supplemental answers if the District obtains further information pertinent thereto
between the time the answers are served and the time of the Prehearing Conference.
2
Exhibit MSD 61 A
SECOND DISCOVERY REQUEST
1. Appendix 7.1.2 of Ex. MSD 1 lists several categories of projects included within
the Capital Improvement and Replacement Program (the "CIRP") budget needed to meet the
region's obligations under the Consent Decree. With regard to each of the following categories,
please answer the following questions:
a. "Projects identified in the SSO Master Plan to ensure system capacity and
enable the removal of sanitary sewer overflows" — Are these specific projects which must
be completed? If so, please state the specific dates by which the projects must be
completed.
b. "Projects to meet compliance with the CSO Long Term Control Plan" -
Please describe how projects are selected and prioritized.
c. "Projects to renew the wastewater system to meet Consent Decree goals"
— Please describe how projects are selected and prioritized. Is the District required to
spend a certain amount on renewal projects annually? Or are projects selected to achieve
performance metrics?
d. "Projects to meet Consent Decree targets for Cityshed and Green
Infrastructure investment" — Please describe how projects are selected and prioritized.
RESPONSE: The categories of projects included within the CIRP and identified in (a)
through (d) above are requirements of the District's Consent Decree (CD) that have been
approved for scope and schedule by the US Justice Department, USEPA, Missouri Coalition for
the Environment and must be completed to ensure compliance with the CD.
a. SSO Master Plan Projects must be completed, and have been identified by
MSD and approved by EPA as a condition of their approval of the Master Plan, along
with four target dates related to each project. The SSO Master Plan has been included
as MSD Exhibit 37C.
b. The CSO Long Term Control Plan development was performed according
to the nine elements defined in EPA's CSO Control Policy to obtain regulatory approval.
Part of that process involved developing and evaluating numerous alternatives to control
CSOs. MSD evaluated over 70 CSO control technologies that were screened at 3 levels
for feasibility, applicability and cost-effectiveness. During the 3rd level of screening, 12
control alternatives were evaluated in five CSO control scenarios that were evaluated for
numerous criteria and presented for public input, before a control scenario was selected,
submitted and approved by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. More
information can be found in the MSD Combined Sewer Overflow Long -Term Control
Plan and Updates (Exhibits MSD 37B-37B5).
c. Projects that renew the wastewater system are selected and prioritized to
ensure the wastewater system continues to function properly, and to meet specific
performance metrics in the Consent Decree. Much of this work is managed under
Infrastructure Repair projects, or in a similar manner. When assets are found to be at
the end of their useful life and the condition rating is poor, MSD schedules a project to
replace, repair or rehabilitate the asset. MSD does have a Consent Decree requirement
to Repair, Rehabilitate or Replace 90 miles of its wastewater collections system per year.
3
Exhibit MSD 61 A
For other assets, MSD targets annual expenditures to a target funding level of
approximately 10% of the CIRP.
d. Projects planned under the Cityshed program are selected and identified
through historical records, combined system investigations and Cityshed planning
studies. The projects are then prioritized by benefit/cost ratio using the MSD Combined
Sewer Projects Prioritization System. The worksheet utilized for this prioritization
system has been provided as Exhibit MSD 61B.
Under the Green Infrastructure (GI) program, project selection is largely based upon the
submittal of applications from the community under the Rainscaping Large Grants program. To
select and prioritize projects under the Annual Call, MSD uses an Annual Call Prioritization
worksheet to score benefit/cost ratios to compare applications and select GI projects. A sample
worksheet utilized for this prioritization has been provided as Exhibit MSD 61C. Further
information regarding the District's Rainscaping Large Scale Grants program can be found on
the MSD website at: https://www.stlmsd.com/what-we-do/stormwater-management/rainscaping-
large-scale grants program.
2. Is the District aware of future regulatory requirements which may impact the
CIRP and the District's financial plan in the future? If so, please describe the regulatory
requirements, their estimated costs, and timeframes which the District would be required to
comply with such requirements.
RESPONSE: Although not anticipated within this upcoming Rate Cycle, future
regulatory requirements that could significantly impact MSD 's wastewater operations include
the following:
a. New national recommended water quality criteria for ammonia will result
in lower ammonia effluent limits at MSD's wastewater treatment plants. However, at this
time, MSD believes these lower limits will have a negligible impact to the CIRP and the
Districts financial plan.
b. Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) is looking at
implementing new effluent limits for nutrients (total nitrogen and total phosphorous) on
Missouri rivers and streams. Meeting these new limits will require improvements at
MSD 's wastewater treatment plants, operational changes to existing plant processes,
and/or revisions to inspections and permits MSD issues to industrial users that discharge
into MSD's sewer systems. The cost of potential upgrades is estimated at over $400
million and is currently included in our long-term financial plan.
c. USEPA is continuously developing new water quality criteria for
emerging contaminants which will likely require changes in capital and operations at
MSD's wastewater treatment plants. The cost and timeframe of complying with these
future criteria is uncertain at this time.
4
Exhibit MSD 61A
3. Table 4-18 of Exhibit MSD 1 shoes the proposed wastewater user charges for
FY21 — FY24. While most proposed changes are in the 2-4% range, the extra strength surcharge
for suspended solids would increase by 11% in FY21, the biochemical oxygen demand would
increase by 27%, and the chemical oxygen demand will substantially increase. Please expand on
the explanation provided in Section 4.10.4 on page 4-39 as to why these significant increases are
proposed. Furthermore, please explain why the capital cost allocated to these factors increased
by 70% from FY17 to FY21. Please explain these capital costs and why they did not impact the
base and volume charges.
RESPONSE: A more detailed explanation of this is provided in Exhibit MSD 31,
question 27 starting on page 10.
A summary of a comparison of total wastewater capital costs from Test Year 2017 to Test
Year 2021 is shown in the following table. Total wastewater capital costs increase by 61% over
the period of 2017 to 2021, which is consistent with the 70% allocated to TSS and BOD. This
increase has been reflected in the base and volume charges as the proposed cost for a typical
single-family residential customer using 6 ccf increased by 38% over this period while TSS is
projected to increase by 20% and BOD by 36%.
Test Year 2017
Test Year 2021
Total'
Less: Stormwater2
Wastewater
Wastewater-3-
% Increase
Operating
$194,230,070
$19,829,263
$174,400,807
$182,598,820
4.7%
Capital
175,151,208
8,405,411
166,745,797
268,241,735
60.9%
Total
$369,381,277
$28,234,674
$341,146,603
$450,840,555
32.2%
4. Figure 4-8 in Section 4.10.3 of Exhibit MSD 1 illustrates the growth of the
Customer Assistance Program ("CAP") from 2014 to 2018. Has the District projected the
anticipated growth in the number of CAP accounts for the years at issue in the Rate Change
Proposal, FY21 — FY24? If so, please state the projected growth for each fiscal year through
FY24. Please provide detail on how the foregone revenue from CAP accounts is recouped from
the various user classes.
RESPONSE: The District has projected the anticipated growth in the number of CAP
accounts for the years at issue in the Rate Change Proposal, FY21 — FY24. Please refer to
Exhibit MSD 52 (tab Inputs, cells X349:AA350) for these growth rates. The CAP is modeled in
the cost of service analysis through a reduction in the units of service for these customers and
this analysis results in all other customers of the utility sharing in these costs proportionate to
their cost of service.
' From Table 4-13 of Exhibit MSD 5
2 From Table 4-14 of Exhibit MSD 5
3 From Table 4-13 of Exhibit MSD 1
5
Exhibit MSD 61A
5. Please explain the trend regarding delinquent charges from FY17 through FY21.
Please state the projection for these charges for each fiscal year through FY24.
RESPONSE: The District has not prepared a trend of delinquent charges from FY17
through FY21. Pages 7-107 thru 7-108 of the Rate Change Proposal (Exhibit MSD 1) provide
the delinquent account balance from FY 14 thru FY 18. In addition, the chart on page 7-109
provides information regarding the delinquent account balance from FY 14 thru the second
quarter of FY 19. Delinquent charges represent the balance due on customer accounts for
wastewater charges, stormwater charges, late fees and other charges such as lien fees and other
court awarded fees since MSD began billing for the services that it provides. The District
expects that the delinquent charge balance will continue to grow unless collections of delinquent
accounts exceed the bad debt expense recorded by the District in upcoming fiscal years.
Information regarding the District's bad debt expenses and projected future expenses can be
found on pages 4-8, 4-12, and 7-114 of the Rate Change Proposal.
6. Susan M. Myers states in Direct Testimony that the Wastewater Rate Change
Proposal is consistent with constitutional, statutory or common law as amended from time to
time. See MSD Ex. 3B, p. 1, 11. 22-24. Please (a) describe the analysis that was performed to
reach this conclusion; (b) provide copies of any memorandum, report, work paper, summary,
analysis, or schedule that supports this conclusion; and (c) describe the rationale for such
conclusion.
RESPONSE:
a. The precedent was set by Missouri Growth Association v. Metropolitan St. Louis
Sewer, 941 S.W.2d 615 (Mo. Ct. App. 1997) and the methodology of measuring and billing
MSD's wastewater rate has not changed since this ruling.
b. none
c. Same as a.
7. Susan M. Myers states in Direct Testimony that the Rate Change Proposal will
not impair the ability of the District to comply with applicable federal or state laws or regulations
as amended from time to time. See MSD Ex. 3B, p. 2, 11.22-24. Please (a) describe the analysis
that was performed to reach this conclusion; (b) provide copies of any memorandum, report,
work paper, summary, analysis, or schedule that supports this conclusion; and (c) describe the
rationale for such conclusion.
RESPONSE: The core of MSD's business is regulated by the Clean Water Act (CWA).
The Rate Change Proposal was developed by reviewing all of the known regulatory needs that
will have to be met over the next four years. That includes compliance with existing regulations
and the consent decree. See Exhibit MSD 3C and MSD 3D which outline the regulatory and
consent decree needs for wastewater.
6
Exhibit MSD 61A
8. Susan M. Myers states in Direct Testimony that the Rate Change Proposal
imposes a fair and reasonable burden on all classes of ratepayers. See MSD Ex. 3B, p. 3, 11. 18-
19. Please (a) describe the analysis that was performed to reach this conclusion; (b) provide
copies of any memorandum, report, work paper, summary, analysis, or schedule that supports
this conclusion; and (c) describe the rationale for such conclusion.
RESPONSE: The precedent was set by Missouri Growth Association v. Metropolitan St.
Louis Sewer, 941 S.W.2d 615 (Mo. Ct. App. 1997) and the methodology of measuring and
billing MSD's wastewater rate has not changed since this ruling. Regarding the methodology,
see Exhibit MSD 3I and Section 4 of the MSD Rate Change Proposal, March 4, 2019.
9. Susan M. Myers states in Direct Testimony that "[r]ecent regulatory changes have
compelled MSD to accelerate certain non -[Consent Decree] work." See MSD Ex. 3B, p. 5,11. 1-
2. Please identify the regulatory changes and describe the work the District is undertaking
pursuant to these regulatory changes.
RESPONSE: 40 CFR Part 62 — Federal Plan Requirements for Sewage Sludge
Incineration Units Constructed on or Before October 14, 2010 (SSI Rule). The changes finalized
in this rule drove the need for MSD to expedite its solids handling alternative from 2026 to 2021.
MSD developed a Comprehensive Solids Master Plan Study in 2010 that resulted in a
plan to continue the use of the Bissell and Lemay incinerators until 2030. Based upon EPA 's
2011 promulgated rule, MSD reviewed the Solids Master Plan and the Maximum Achievable
Control Technology (MACT) standards to validate alternatives. This work resulted in MSD
designing and installing scrubber upgrades to meet the 2011 MACT Standards. Between 2013
and 2016 and as part of our Asset Management Program, MSD confirmed that the projected
maintenance improvements required to extend the life of the incinerators would cause an
exceedance of the 50% cumulative cost of changes threshold in the SSI Rule. Therefore, the
design of new facilities needed to start in 2026 with construction in 2029. After the SSI Rule was
finalized in June 2016, it became certain that the new MACT standards would need to be
included in the Bissell WWTP and Lemay WWTP operating permits. The finalization of the 2016
SSI Rule, along with the updated asset management assessment and the 50% threshold for the
cumulative cost of changes restricting needed corrective maintenance, drove the need for new
solids handling facilities. Therefore, instead of waiting until 2026 to start design, MSD needed to
accelerate the design and construction of the new Solids Handling Facilities by five years to
2021-2026 at an estimated cost of $330M in 2016 dollars.
10. Richard L. Unverferth states in Direct Testimony that the Wastewater Rate
Change Proposal enhances the District's ability to provide adequate sewer and drainage systems
and facilities or related services. See MSD Ex. 3C, p. 5,11. 19-21. Please (a) describe the analysis
that was performed to reach this conclusion; (b) provide copies of any memorandum, report,
work paper, summary, analysis, or schedule that supports this conclusion; and (c) describe the
rationale for such conclusion.
7
Exhibit MSD 61A
RESPONSE: MSD 's determination as to the adequacy of sewer and drainage systems
and services is largely defined by meeting regulatory obligations under environmental laws.
Regulatory agencies have reviewed and approved Plans that encompass nearly every aspect of
the MSD system and its services. For the combined sewer system, our CSO Long Term Control
Plan (Exhibits MSD 37B1-5) was approved by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Our SSO Control Master Plan (Exhibit MSD 37C) was approved by EPA. All wastewater
collection and treatment activities are regulated by Missouri State Operating permits. Agencies
also oversee and regulate MSD facilities under air regulations and solid waste regulations. The
proposed wastewater rate change will fund the projects necessary to maintain compliance with
these obligations to provide adequate sewer wastewater facilities and services. In addition, MSD
continuously focuses on effective asset management and proactively evaluating regulatory
requirements as outlined in the District's annual Strategic Business and Operating Plan (SBOP).
These two items are part of Strategies 4 & 5 of the SBOP. The plan can be found as part of the
FY 2019 Operating Budget document (Exhibit MSD 7).
11. Bret A. Berthold states in Direct Testimony that the Wastewater Rate Change
Proposal enhances the District's ability to provide adequate sewer and drainage systems and
facilities or related services. See MSD Ex. 3D, p. 5, 11. 9-10. Please (a) describe the analysis that
was performed to reach this conclusion; (b) provide copies of any memorandum, report, work
paper, summary, analysis, or schedule that supports this conclusion; and (c) describe the
rationale for such conclusion.
RESPONSE: The adequacy of the proposed wastewater rates are defined by their
ability to support compliance with the District's approved Capacity, Management, Operations
and Maintenance (CMOM) Plan as required by the Consent Decree (Exhibit MSD37). The
CMOM Plan and annual reporting evaluates performance in accordance with defined service
level goals. All wastewater collection and treatment activities are regulated by the Missouri
State Operating permits.
12. Marion M. Gee states in Direct Testimony that the Rate Change Proposal imposes
a fair and reasonable burden on all classes of ratepayers. See MSD Ex. 3E, p. 3,11.22-23. Please
(a) describe the analysis that was performed to reach this conclusion; (b) provide copies of any
memorandum, report, work paper, summary, analysis, or schedule that supports this conclusion;
and (c) describe the rationale for such conclusion.
RESPONSE: The cost of service analysis that was included in the Rate Model
previously provided to the Rate Commission (see Exhibit MSD 52, tab labeled COS -Results) lists
the total cost to serve each customer class as well as the revenue generated from each class if the
proposed rates were approved. The difference between the cost of service compared to the
revenue under the proposed rates for each class is as follows: Single -Family (0.03%), Multi -
Family (0.44%), and Non Residential (-0.10%). Table 4-20 of the Rate Change Proposal also
provides a summary of the aforementioned information (see Exhibit MSD 1, page 4-41).
8
Exhibit MSD 61A
13. Tim R. Snoke states in Direct Testimony that the Rate Change Proposal is
consistent with and not in violation of any covenant or provision relating to any outstanding
bonds or indebtedness of the District. See MSD Ex. 3F, p. 8, 11. 6-7. Please (a) describe the
analysis that was performed to reach this conclusion; (b) provide copies of any memorandum,
report, work paper, summary, analysis, or schedule that supports this conclusion; and (c)
describe the rationale for such conclusion.
RESPONSE:
Rate Covenant:
The Rate Change Proposal was developed to comply with the covenants of outstanding
bonds or indebtedness. Section 6.1 of the Master Bond Ordinance (Exhibit MSD 14) requires the
District to:
(1) prescribe, fix, maintain, and collect rates, fees, and other charges for the services,
facilities, and commodities furnished by the System fully sufficient at all times to provide
for 100% of operation and maintenance expenses and for the accumulation of a
reasonable reserve
(ii) produce Net Operating Revenues in each fiscal year that will equal at least 125% (1.25x)
of the Debt Service Requirement on all Senior Bonds then outstanding and 115% (1.15x)
of the debt service requirement on all bonds outstanding for the year of computation
No meet the costs of major renewals, replacements, repairs, additions, betterments, and
improvements to the System, necessary to keep the same in good operating condition or
as is required by any governmental agency having jurisdiction over the System
The Wastewater Financial Plan (Table 4-10) in the Rate Change Proposal shows that the
proposed rates are expected to be sufficient to cover operating expenses, maintain an adequate
reserve (see section 4.7 of the Rate Change Proposal), and fund the CIRP while maintaining
debt coverage ratios above the required minimums.
Senior and Subordinate Bonds:
Sections 5.3 and 5.4 of the Master Bond Ordinance specify additional bond tests for new
issuances, requiring:
(i) a report by an Independent CPA to the effect that historical net operating revenues and
investment earnings for a period of 12 consecutive months of the most recent 18
consecutive months prior to the issuance of either Senior Bonds or Subordinate Bonds
were equal to at least (a) 125% of the Maximum Annual Debt Service Requirement on all
Senior Bonds which will be Outstanding immediately after the issuance of the proposed
Subordinate Bonds and (b) 115% of the Maximum Annual Debt Service Requirement on
all Bonds which will be Outstanding immediately after the issuance (such calculations
may include proforma adjustments to historical net operating revenues equal to 100% of
the increased annual amount attributable to any revision in the schedule of rates, fees,
and charges for the services, facilities, and commodities furnished by the System, adopted
prior to the date of delivery of the proposed Subordinate Bonds and not fully reflected in
the historical Net Operating Revenues actually received during such 12-month period),
or
9
Exhibit MSD 61A
(ii) a report by a Consultant to the effect that the forecasted net operating revenues and
investment earnings for each year in the forecast period are expected to equal to at least
(a) 125% of the Maximum Annual Debt Service Requirement on all Senior Bonds which
will be Outstanding immediately after the issuance of the proposed Subordinate Bonds
and (b) 115% of the Maximum Annual Debt Service Requirement on all Bonds which will
be Outstanding immediately after the issuance
The net operating revenues and debt service totals projected in the Rate Change
Proposal and Rate Model show that the proposed rates are expected to be sufficient to meet this
test.
Reasonable Charges:
Section 6.7 of the Master Bond Ordinance requires that "none of the facilities or services
afforded by the System will be furnished to any user without a reasonable charge being made
therefor. " The Rate Change Proposal does not assume or propose that any service be provided
for free.
14. The Rate Proposal states that "Hai -tells developed the [wastewater] rates contained
in the Rate Proposal based on industry standard rate design methods." See Ex. MSD 1, p. 1.
Please identify which "industry" and provide further detail as to how standards were developed?
Further, please describe how these industry standards were used to meet the District's "unique
needs."
RESPONSE: There are standard industry methodologies for cost of service for
wastewater utilities, these methodologies are documented in the Water Environment
Federation's Manual of Practice No. 27, Financing and Charges for Wastewater Systems. These
standards have been developed by the Financing and Charges for Wastewater Systems Task
Force of the Water Environment Federation. This Task Force consisted of 37 members,
including six Raftelis employees as well as three employees of Black & Veatch.
The standard methodologies and approaches documented in this book have been used in
this and previous Rate Commission proceedings to take the revenue requirements, CIRP,
demand projections, and financial policies, which are unique to the District, and determine cost
of service based rates.
15. Please describe which metrics the District employed to determine that the
proposed debt service for senior revenue bonds, as described on Table ES-1 of the Rate Proposal,
Ex. MSD 1, are reasonable. Further, please describe any assumptions that have been made to
formulate the proposed debt service levels.
RESPONSE: The debt model was developed by the District's municipal advisor, PFM
Financial Advisors, LLC (PFM), with input from the District. It assumes 30 year, level debt
service for each new senior revenue bond issuance so that new financing costs are spread evenly
throughout the life of each new senior debt issuance. Coupon rates are assumed to range from
5.0% to 5.5%, depending on the year of issuance and the maturity date of the principal. For
10
Exhibit MSD 61A
additional detail on assumptions used, please refer to the Direct Testimony of Bethany
Pugh(Exhibit MSD 3G).
16. Please describe what risks or exposures could alter the rate model used to develop
the proposed rates in the Rate Change Proposal.
RESPONSE: The District faces many risks to the financial plan presented in the Rate
Proposal, the primary risks to the District are customer risks (changes in customers or billed
usage), inflation risk (changes in inflation for operating and maintenance expense or capital),
and interest rate risk (changes in interest rate on debt issued by the District). Another factor
that impacts the District is regulatory risk though we believe it is unlikely any regulatory
changes would have a significant impact on the period presented in this Rate Change
Proceeding.
17. Please identify any covenants with which the Rate Change Proposal must comply.
Please describe any loans, grants, or provisions of the Consent Decree which were considered in
formulating the Rate Change Proposal.
RESPONSE: In addition to the Senior Bonds contemplated in the Rate Change
proposal, the District also assumes the use of State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans. Please see the
section on SRF Financing in Tim Snoke's Direct Testimony (Exhibit MSD 3F).
18. The 2015 Rate Change Proposal anticipated rate increases of roughly 10% for
each year in the FY21 — FY24 period. This Rate Change Proposal proposes roughly 3% increases
annually for this period. Please identify which factors account for the reduction in proposed rate
increases?
RESPONSE:
a. The Revenue Requirement for FY21 through FY24 is lower for this Rate Proposal
than was projected in the previous Rate Proposal. As shown in the table below this is due to
decreases in Operating Expenses ($71.OM), Debt Service (169.3M) and Cash Financing of
Capital ($122.6M). The majority ($70.1M) of the decrease in Operating Expenses can be
attributed to a reduction in projected expenditures relating to treatment plant and collection
system operations as well as declines in engineering expenses due to more engineering staff
working on stormwater related activities. Debt Service cost are projected to be less than
previously anticipated due to a reduction in the amount of bonds needed to fund the Capital
Program, savings from the refunding of prior bond issues which resulted in new bonds being
issued at interest rates less than what was previously anticipated, and the elimination of the need
to fund debt service reserve accounts. The reduction in the cash funding of the capital program
is primarily driven by the impact of the amended consent decree (see Exhibit MSD 1, page 4-15)
which resulted in a net $869.3 million of projected capital expenditures being removed from the
FY21 through FY 24 rate cycle. Also, an additional $50.0 million of fund balance is anticipated
to be available to fund the capital program as a result of projected savings from the FY17
through FY21 rate cycle.
11
Exhibit MSD 61A
b. If the amended consent decree had not been approved; MSD 's rate request would
have averaged 9.2% over the rate cycle for FY21 through FY24 instead of the 3.3% average that
is currently being requested.
2019 Model Revenue Rea.
Operating Expenses
Debt Service
Cash Financing of Capital
Other Expenses
Addition to / (Use of) Fund Balance
Revenue Requirement
2015 Model Revenue Rea.
Operating Expenses
Debt Service
Cash Financing of Capital
Other Expenses
Addition to / (Use of) Fund Balance
Revenue Requirement
Variance
Operating Expenses
Debt Service
Cash Financing of Capital
Other Expenses
Addition to / (Use of) Fund Balance
Revenue Requirement
Fiscal Year
2021 2022
$ 173,226,505 $ 177,237,606
130,412,383 142,042,661
167,479,944 156,464,655
24,171,643 21,385,079
(34,092,981) (18,225,787)
2023
$ 183,355,453
156,977,164
127,083,792
22,153,443
7,807,304
$ 461,197,495 $ 478,904,213 $ 497,377,156
$ 189,007,117 $ 194,984,237
166, 405, 000 185, 773, 600
136, 280, 715 154, 366, 330
14,457,477 14,750,970
(1,602,644) 4,217,109
$ 504,547,666 $ 554,092,244
$ 201,685,392
204,801,345
182,453,656
14,958,654
4,800,636
$ 608,699,683
$ 188,431,423
177,014,609
129,043,836
22,195, 733
526,465
Four Year
Total
$ 722,250,987
606,446,817
580,072,227
89,905,898
(43,984,999)
$ 517,212,066 $1,954,690,930
$ 207,572,223 $ 793,248,969
218,743,039 775,722,984
229,542,729 702,643,430
14,439,780 58,606,881
(1,384,770) 6,030,331
$ 668,913,001 $ 2,336,252,595
$ (15,780,612) $ (17,746,631) $ (18,329,939) $ (19,140,800) $ (70,997,982)
$ (35,992,617) $ (43,730,939) $ (47,824,182) $ (41,728,429) $ (169,276,167)
$ 31,199,229 $ 2,098,326 $ (55,369,864) $ (100,498,893) $ (122,571,203)
$ 9,714,166 $ 6,634,109 $ 7,194,789 $ 7,755,952 $ 31,299,017
$ 32,490,337) $ (22,442,896) $ 3,006,668 $ 1,911,234 $ (50,015,330)
$ (43,350,171) $ (75,188,031) $ (111,322,528) $ (151,700,936) $ (381,561,665)
19. Please describe how the District's affordability metrics compare to similarly
situated utilities.
RESPONSE: Affordability for single-family residential is presented in the following
table by comparing Median Household Income to the typical bills included in the Rate Proposal
in Figure 5-1. The EPA has indicated that a threshold for affordability may be considered 2% of
MHI, which the District is below.
12
Exhibit MSD 6 ] A
Typical Residential (6 ccf per month)
Annual Bill as a %
Monthly Bill (c) of MHI Mill
City Population Rank MHI (b) ($)
Albuquerque 32 49,878 NM 13.08 0.31% 49
Arlington 50 55,562 TX 34.26 0.74% 22
Atlanta 40 51,701 GA 63.06 1.46% 5
Austin 14 63,717 TX 54.67 1.03% 15
Baltimore 21 46,641 MD 62.15 1.60% 3
Boston 22 62,021 MA 37.32 0.72% 25
Charlotte 17 58,202 NC 32.35 0.67% 30
Chicago 3 52,497 IL 45.74 1.05% 13
Cleveland 45 27,854 OH 48.63 2.09% 1
Colorado Springs 41 58,158 CO 30.48 0.63% 36
Columbus 15 49,478 OH 30.47 0.74% 23
Dallas 9 47,285 TX 28.84 0.73% 24
Denver 26 60,098 CO 32.56 0.65% 31
Detroit 18 27,838 MI 41.15 1.77% 2
El Paso 19 44,431 TX 26.60 0.72% 26
Fort Worth 16 57,309 TX 30.14 0.63% 35
Fresno 34 44,853 CA 25.75 0.69% 27
Houston 4 49,399 TX 47.72 1.16% 11
Indianapolis 12 44,709 IN 49.64 1.33% 6
Jacksonville 11 50,555 FL 37.93 0.90% 17
Kansas City 37 50,136 MO 66.34 1.59% 4
Las Vegas 30 53,159 NV 20.50 0.46% 44
Long Beach 36 58,314 CA 9.67 0.20% 51
Los Angeles 2 54,501 CA 30.66 0.68% 28
Louisville 27 49,439 KY 36.78 0.89% 18
Memphis 20 38,230 TN 10.17 0.32% 48
Mesa 38 52,155 AZ 26.76 0.62% 38
Miami 44 33,999 FL 18.28 0.65% 33
Milwaukee 28 38,289 WI 14.02 0.44% 45
Minneapolis 48 55,720 MN 31.06 0.67% 29
Nashville 25 52,858 TN 26.58 0.60% 40
New York City 1 57,782 NY 37.20 0.77% 20
Oakland 47 63,251 CA 13.32 0.25% 50
Oklahoma City 31 51,581 OK 26.27 0.61% 39
Omaha 42 53,789 NB 54.68 1.22% 9
Philadelphia 5 40,649 PA 26.89 0.79% 19
Phoenix 6 52,080 AZ 15.84 0.36% 47
Portland 29 61,532 OR 62.64 1.22% 8
Raleigh 43 61,505 NC 38.54 0.75% 21
Sacramento 35 54,615 CA 19.85 0.44% 46
San Antonio 7 49,711 TX 26.38 0.64% 34
San Diego 5 71,535 CA 36.75 0.62% 37
San Fransisco 13 96,265 CA 74.40 0.93% 16
San Jose 10 96,662 CA 38.90 0.48% 43
Seattle 23 79,565 WA 86.88 1.31% 7
Tucson 33 39,617 CZ 34.77 1.05% 12
Tulsa 46 44,577 OK 43.35 1.17% 10
Virginia Beach 39 70,500 VA 30.81 0.52% 42
Washington (a) 24 77,649 DC 37.93 0.59% 41
Wichita 49 48,982 KS 26.34 0.65% 32
St. Louis (FY 2019 Rates) 58,256 MO 50.23 1.03% 14
Median
Average
32.56
36.18
(a) Half of Washington's combined Water and Sewer Metering Fee is included.
(b) St. Louis estimated MHI for entire MSD service area. Median Household Income estimate for other cities does not include
any outside city areas served. From the United States Census Bureau, American Factfinder "2013-2017 American
Community Survey 5-Year Estimates".
(c) Data for other utilities collected in February 2019. Rates for St. Louis are approved rates for FY 2019.
13
Exhibit MSD 61A
20. Please describe any other facts and circumstances which demonstrate whether the
Rate Change Proposal and all portions thereof is necessary to pay interest and principal falling
due on bonds issued to: (a) finance assets of the District; (b) necessary to enable the District to
provide for the costs of operation and maintenance; and (c) such other amounts as may be
required to cover emergencies and anticipated delinquencies, as required by § 7.040 of the
Charter Plan.
RESPONSE: There are no additional facts or circumstances.
21. Please describe any other facts and circumstances which demonstrate whether the
Rate Change Proposal and all portions thereof is consistent with constitutional, statutory, or
common law, as amended form time to time, as required by § 7.270(1) of the Charter Plan.
RESPONSE: There are no additional facts or circumstances.
22. Please describe any other facts and circumstances which demonstrate whether the
Rate Change Proposal and all portions thereof enhances the District's ability to provide adequate
sewer and drainage systems and facilities, or related services as required by § 7.270(2) of the
Charter Plan and § 4(2)(b) of the Operational Rules..
RESPONSE: There are no additional facts or circumstances.
23. Please describe any other facts and circumstances which demonstrate whether the
Rate Change Proposal and all portions thereof is consistent with and not in violation of any
covenant or provision relating to any outstanding bonds or indebtedness of the District, as
required by § 7.270(3) of the Charter Plan.
RESPONSE: There are no additional facts or circumstances
24. Please describe any other facts and circumstances which demonstrate whether the
Rate Change Proposal and all portions thereof does not impair the ability of the District to
comply with applicable federal or state laws or regulations as amended from time to time, as
required by § 7.270(4) of the Charter Plan and § 4(2)(d) of the Operational Rules.
RESPONSE: There are no additional facts or circumstances.
25. Please describe any other facts and circumstances which demonstrate whether the
Rate Change Proposal and all portions thereof imposes a fair and reasonable burden on all
classes of ratepayers, as required by § 7.270(5) of the Charter Plan.
RESPONSE: There are no additional facts or circumstances.
14
Exhibit MSD 61A
26. Please describe any other facts and circumstances which demonstrate whether the
Rate Change Proposal and all portions thereof why the Rate Change Proposal is necessary, fair
and reasonable, as required by § 4(2)(a) of the Operational Rules.
RESPONSE: There are no additional facts or circumstances.
27. Please describe any other facts and circumstances which demonstrate whether and
to what extent the Rate Change Proposal and all portions thereof is necessary to enable the
District to comply with any covenant or provision relating to outstanding bonds or indebtedness
of the District, together with a specific quantification of the amount of the Proposed Rate Change
is necessary for such purposes, as required by § 4(2)(c) of the Operational Rules.
RESPONSE: There are no additional facts or circumstances.
28. Please describe any other facts and circumstances which demonstrate that the
Rate Change Proposal and all portions thereof imposes a fair and reasonable burden on each
class of ratepayers, including whether and how cost of service considerations have been factored
into such determination as required by § 4(2)(e) of the Operational Rules.
RESPONSE: There are no additional facts or circumstances.
29. Please describe any other facts and circumstances which demonstrate that the
Rate Change Proposal and all portions thereof imposes a fair and reasonable burden on each
class of ratepayers, including whether and how cost causation principles, have been factored into
such determination as required by § 4(2)(e) of the Operational Rules.
RESPONSE: There are no additional facts or circumstances.
30. Please describe any other facts and circumstances which demonstrate that the
Rate Change Proposal and all portions thereof imposes a fair and reasonable burden on each
class of ratepayers, including whether and how customer impact data has been factored into such
determination as required by § 4(2)(e) of the Operational Rules.
RESPONSE: There are no additional facts or circumstances.
31. Please describe any other facts and circumstances which demonstrate that the
Rate Change Proposal and all portions thereof imposes a fair and reasonable burden on each
class of ratepayers, including whether and how economic development considerations have been
factored into such determination as required by § 4(2)(e) of the Operational Rules.
15
Exhibit MSD 6'I A
RESPONSE: There are no additional facts or circumstances. We would like to
emphasize that the cost of service analysis does not take into consideration the promotion or
discouragement of economic development.
32. Please describe any other facts and circumstances which demonstrate that the
Rate Change Proposal and all portions thereof imposes a fair and reasonable burden on each
class of ratepayers, including whether and how environmental effects have been factored into
such determination as required by § 4(2)(e) of the Operational Rules.
RESPONSE: There are no additional facts or circumstances.
33. Please describe any other facts and circumstances which demonstrate that the
Rate Change Proposal and all portions thereof imposes a fair and reasonable burden on each
class of ratepayers, including whether and how any other factors have been factored into such
determination as required by § 4(2)(e) of the Operational Rules.
RESPONSE: There are no additional facts or circumstances.
34. Please (a) describe any other facts and circumstances which demonstrate that the
measures taken by the District to ensure that the cost of constructing and maintaining the
District's facilities and providing related services are being incurred in a reasonable and efficient
manner; and (b) include copies of all internal or external audit reports that address such matters
as required by § 4(2)(f) of the Operational Rules.
RESPONSE:
a. There are no additional facts or circumstances.
b. The following audit reports have been provided as Exhibits MSD 61D thru 61N.
The exhibits include audit reports prepared within the current MSD Rate cycle.
35. Please describe any other facts and circumstances which demonstrate how,
whether and to what extent the Rate Change Proposal and all portions thereof, will affect, impact
and comply with the Consent Decree, as required by § 4(2)(g) of the Operational Rules.
RESPONSE: There are no additional facts or circumstances.
16
Exhibit MSD 61A
Respectfully submitted,
A L Y
7-‘
Susan M. Myers, General Counsel
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
2350 Market Street
St. Louis, Missouri 63103
smyers@stlmsd.com
Tel: (314) 768-6366
Fax: (314) 768-6279
17
Exhibit MSD 61A
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
The undersigned certifies that a copy of the foregoing was sent by electronic transmission
to Lisa O. Stump and Brian J. Malone, Lashly & Baer, P.C., on this 20th day of March, 2019.
Lisa O. Stump, Esq.
Lashly & Baer, P.C.
714 Locust Street
St. Louis, MO 63101
lostumn@lashlybaer.com
Brian J. Malone, Esq.
Lashly & Baer, P.C.
714 Locust Street
St. Louis, MO 63101
bmalone(a7�lashlybaer.com
Sin M. Myers, General Counsel
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
2350 Market Street
St. Louis, Missouri 63103
smyers(cr�,stlmsd.com
Tel: (314) 768-6366
Fax: (314) 768-6279
18