The rthern Kentucky Sanitation District . 1 (SD1) was presented with the challenge of increasing capital spending from $20M to $150M annually and the associated rate increases to meet regulatory and asset management requirements. SD1’s Operations, Engineering, Finance, and HR groups didn’t coordinate and communicate well. Often there was blame when projects didn’t get completed, there weren’t eugh staff, or budgets weren’t spent. Operations and Engineering were overwhelmed fighting daily “fires,” which left little time to plan. SD1 overcame these challenges through several approaches: Refocus SD1’s Mission. SD1’s executive director urged staff to run SD1 like a private company where “profit” was measured as cost and efficiency savings to the ratepayers. Prioritize project execution through Integrated Watershed Management Plans. Provided roadmaps for projects and answered where to invest and why; should we renew or replace? Empower staff to improve processes and efficiencies. Identified and improved inefficient processes; removed “waste” and red tape. Executive leadership changed or reorganized staff to remove inefficiencies. Efficient asset management and capital delivery involve all levels of the utility with consistent messaging and support from leadership. Improve use of techlogy. Get rid of paper; fully utilize the CMMS, GIS, and FIS. Engage field staff in change. Field staff had great ideas to improve efficiencies and reduce cost, once engaged and asked.
At the conclusion of this session participants will be better able to:
• Increase efficiencies and remove silos. The six steps SD1 followed can work for them.
• Analyze their utility through the lens of a for-profit company—what would they do differently to improve?
• Engage all levels of staff and achieve buy-in around a common mission and objectives.

Contributor/Source

Mr. Brandon Vatter

Claim CEUs

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit, mattis condimentum justo velit convallis taciti faucibus, egestas elementum vitae vestibulum cum fames