'A New Normal,' Padre Dam Board Approves New Five Year Business Plan and Budget

's recently approved a new Five Year Business Plan and Budget for Fiscal Years 2013-2017.

Santee's water district modeled this plan after the 2008-2012 Five Year Business Plan, and it includes capital improvements and preventive maintenance that the district says will benefit ratepayers over the next five years.

"The new plan embodies a commitment to reducing costs in every way possible while continuing our commitment to superior customer service and infrastructure investment. It will provide our customers essential services in a cost-effective manner," said CEO/General Manager Allen Carlisle.

For a full copy of the draft plan click here. 

Highlights of the plan include the following:

• Replacement and maintenance of the District’s .
• Maximize District efficiencies by increasing Information Technology services. The District will develop a technology plan.
• Explore the expansion of water recycling facilities to help diversify water sources and explore the potential of Indirect Potable Reuse with the .
• Continue to identify operational efficiencies and savings through organizational restructuring and cross-training employees.

The “New Normal”

Since the 2008 five year plan, the District experienced due to the drought and the recession- a 34 percent reduction in water sales. The current five-year plan is just as flexible as the last plan, giving  the district the opportunity to find necessary savings during the middle of the plan.

According to the new plan:

"The cost of water from the district’s sole provider has increased significantly due to regulatory and demand issues. This cost must be passed on to Padre Dam customers resulting in considerable rate increases.

"Customers are now paying more for less water and are experiencing severe rate fatigue. Customers have made permanent lifestyle changes and, as a result, more than 80 percent of the District’s customers say they will use the same or less water in the future. This Plan was developed with the understanding that a 'New Normal' exists and that the District must adapt its operations to the changed environment."

Over the last year Padre Dam reports cost cutting moves, including:

• 19 percent reduction in workforce (26 positions)
• Reduced CIP spending by $12 million
• Reduced capital equipment expenditures by $270,000
• Cut operating expenses by approximately $1.7 million

A Padre Dam press release contributed to this report

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