MWRD Budget Committee Hears Departmental Presentations on 2019 Proposed Budget of $1.092 Billion

Metropolitan Water & Reclamation District Committee on Budget & Employment
Departmental Presentations for 2019 Budget - November 1, 2018

Acting Executive Director John Murray gave an overview of the proposed 2019 budget:

• $1.092 budget is 5.1% less than in 2018, but would include a 3.1% increase in the property tax levy over 2018
• Decrease in overall budget due to the timing of capital projects and payments
• 2019 emphasis on maintenance
• 2019 includes large (39.4%) increase to storm water management function over 2018, including transfers of employees from other areas
• Controlling energy costs (basically flat and projected over the next 5 years) touted
• Continued appropriations for Retirement Fund to increase funded ratio (as of Dec. 31, 2017 was 58.3%)

Each Department Head gave a short presentation of 2018 accomplishments and plans for 2019.

• Brian Perkovich, Acting Director of Maintenance & Operations
• Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering
• Edward W. Podczenwinski, Director of Monitoring & Research
• Jacqueline Torres, Clerk/Director of Finance
• Susan T. Morakalis, General Counseil
• Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement & Materials Management
• General Administration:  
  • Eileen M. McElligott, Administrative Services Officer
  • Regina D. Berry, Diversity Adminstrator
  • Allison Fore, Public and Intergovernmental Affairs Officer
• John H. Sudduth, Director of Information Technology
• Beverly K. Sanders, Director of Human Resources
• Board of Directors presented by Nicholas O’Connor, Administrative Aide to President and MaryAnn Boyle, Treasureer
• Susan Boutin, Executive Director, MWRD Retirement Fund

This was the opportunity for MWRD Commissioners to ask questions.   There were only a few, the majority of which were by Commissioners Avila, Shore and Spyropolous.

​Next steps in the budget process:

• Thursday, Dec. 6 at 2 pm:  Public Hearing
• Thursday, Dec. 13 at 10:30 am:  Special Board Meeting to adopt budget
• Thursday, Dec. 20 at 10:30 am:  Any final budget amendments to be adopted

Observer:  Priscilla Mims