Jeffrey Jones

The Rate Advisory Committee meeting focused on reviewing the 2022-2023 cost of service and rate design study for water, wastewater, and electricity utility services. Key discussion points included reviewing the electric rate recommendations, proposed revisions to water rate structures, analysis of on-peak/off-peak water service classes, residential and large general service water bill comparisons, and residential wastewater bill comparisons under the recommended rate structures. The committee discussed the process for finalizing their report, which will summarize consensus feedback for the NBU Board of Trustees and City Council, noting that a follow-up meeting was scheduled for February 1st to collect final thoughts before submitting the report. The overall goal is to ensure the rate design aligns with customer usage patterns and conservation policy recommendations.

This document outlines the One Water Roadmap for New Braunfels, a collaborative interlocal agreement involving New Braunfels Utilities, the City of New Braunfels, and the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority. The vision is to ensure water remains a celebrated and protected feature of the community by holistically and sustainably managing water resources. Key objectives include maximizing environmental, social, and economic benefits, ensuring healthy watersheds, waterways, and groundwater resources, and providing sustainable, high-quality water for the greater New Braunfels area. The roadmap aims to establish a formal agreement, hire a One Water Coordinator, and advance collaborative activities across the participating agencies.

This document provides an overview and timeline of the New Braunfels Utilities' (NBU) Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) program, which is a key component of its water management strategy. The program's goal is to store 14,000 acre-feet of drinking water in the brackish Edwards Aquifer during periods of excess and recover it during drought or peak demands. Key phases detailed include a 2012 feasibility study, 2015 data collection with Texas Water Development Board funding, and 2018-2019 permitting and construction of a demonstration ASR well, with plans for future expansion to nine total wells. The program is designed to optimize NBU's existing water rights and permits.

The meeting focused on the ongoing rate design study for water, wastewater, and electricity utilities. Key discussion points included reviewing revenue projections, cost of service analysis, and the allocation of costs by operational area and customer classes. The committee also reviewed projected operating results for the water and wastewater utilities based on the cost of service review. Updates were provided regarding the city council's approval of the MBU impact fee update, which reinforces the policy that new development costs are not included in rates. Furthermore, an update on the ERCOT market reform process, emphasizing reliability over price, was shared. The chair emphasized the importance of subcommittees advancing on priority lanes before the December 12th deadline to prepare presentations for December 14th.

This One Water Roadmap Report outlines an integrated, holistic water planning approach for New Braunfels. Developed collaboratively by New Braunfels Utilities, the City of New Braunfels, and the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, the plan focuses on five key action areas: holistic and sustainable water resource management, maximizing environmental, social, and economic benefits, preserving water as a celebrated community feature, ensuring sustainable and high-quality water supply, and maintaining healthy watersheds, waterways, and groundwater resources. The overarching vision is to collaboratively manage water resources to safeguard watersheds, waterways, and groundwater, ensuring water remains a celebrated and protected feature of the community.