Comprehensive Cost of Service, Rate Study, Affordability Analysis and Related Services

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

Buyer seeks professional services to conduct a comprehensive rates, fees, and charges study (Rate Study) in conjunction with an affordability analysis. The study will provide the foundation for sewer and stormwater service rates for 2027-2031. Buyer wants to ensure rates adequately fund operations, capital costs, and debt service while minimizing customer impact. The consultant must address specific issues including debt levels, affordability concerns, declining consumption, and industrial surcharge program expansion.

• 5/16/2025 - Questions Due
• 5/23/2025 - Sewer District Response to Questions
• 6/13/2025 - Proposal Due Date
• 7/7/2025 - Interviews if Necessary
• 8/7/2025 - Anticipated Board Approval
• 9/1/2025 - Anticipated Start Date
• 12/1/2025 - Anticipated Draft Report
• 1/1/2026 - Anticipated Final Report

• Experience with water, sewer and stormwater cost of service studies
• Experience collecting and analyzing local economic and demographic data
• Experience developing CSO affordability analyses for state or federal EPA
• Experience analyzing local community economic data applying U.S. EPA guidance
• Compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
• Avoidance of personal and organizational conflicts of interest

• Conduct comprehensive sewer and stormwater service rate study
• Perform detailed affordability analysis for customer base
• Develop financial plan for 2027-2031 rate period
• Analyze industrial surcharge program expansion for food service establishments
• Evaluate alternative sewer rate structure options
• Assess impact of declining water consumption on revenue
• Analyze effectiveness of existing customer assistance programs
• Develop strategies to fund capital improvement program while minimizing rate impacts
• Conduct stakeholder input sessions on industrial rate methodology
• Create user-friendly rate modeling tools for future projections