Raftelis has been engaged by the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) on many different financial, rate, and management consulting projects since 2007. From 2007 through 2012, Raftelis served as the Rate Consultant to MSD’s Rate Commission. In this role, Raftelis provided the Rate Commission with consulting services that included review of the rate change prepared for MSD by their consultants, recommendation of alternative approaches for rates, review of testimony filed by all parties in the case, preparation of direct testimony, and other consulting services as needed. Raftelis provided these services for three rate change proposals in 2007, 2008, and 2012.
In 2010, Raftelis participated in MSD’s periodic management audit. In this role, we worked with MSD management to conduct a self-assessment of MSD in relation to the 10 Attributes of Effectively Managed Utilities and the 5 Keys to Management Success as defined by the Effective Utility Management (EUM) framework. This framework was developed by six industry associations, including AWWA and WEF, in conjunction with the EPA.
In 2012, Raftelis was engaged by the District to serve as its Rate Consultant. In this role, Raftelis has worked with MSD to develop new rate models for its wastewater and stormwater utilities, evaluate rate structures, assist in debt issuance, and provide other rate and financial consulting services as necessary over the course of the engagement. This latest cost-of-service study included a comprehensive analysis of the District’s cost for collecting, treating, and disposing of wastewater and its associated pollutants as well as examining the levels of infiltration, inflow, and stormflow within the collection system both in terms of annual volumes and peak rates of flow. The Rate Change Proposal was accepted by the Rate Commission with only minor changes and without having to extend the schedule of the Rate Commission proceedings as had been necessary in the previous Rate Commission process.
Over the past five years Raftelis has provided feasibility reports for five bond issuances totaling $890,580,000.
Raftelis continues to serve as the Rate Consultant for MSD.
