Presented By: L. Carson Bise II, AICP Vice President Calculating Long Range Operating and Infrastructure Needs with Fiscal Models 2006 NIFR Conference

Levels of Service Adopted vs. actual How are levels of service defined? – National standards? – What is and isn’t included? – Interviews with jurisdiction staff? Operating costs – Fixed vs. variable Revenue assumptions

Art and Science Lack of formal standards Considerable variation in methodologies employed Costs can change over time

Methodological Comparisons Case study-marginal approach – Reflects fiscal reality – Dependent on local levels of service – Available capacity determines the staging of facilities Versus the average cost approach – Focuses on per capita/employee – Doesn’t consider available capacities – Masks timing

Which Methodology is Best? Case study-marginal approach – City/Countywide analysis – Area/corridor plans – Planned unit developments Average cost – Small/medium scale developments – Cost of land use studies

Methodological Comparisons

Capital Improvements/Debt Management Cash Bonds Apply dedicated revenue source Bond term Lag/lead time of construction Bond to first year debt service Useful life Available capacity

Infrastructure Backlogs What constitutes backlog? – Deficiencies? – Infrastructure replacement? What LOS are the backlogs based upon? – Adopted vs. actual How are you handling issue of current development base?

Spatial Aspects Roads Schools Fire/EMS Police Water/Sewer

Planning Horizon

Factors Influencing Fiscal Results Revenue structure – Sources – Distribution formulas Levels of service – Operating – Capital – Revenue Infrastructure lifecycle – Existing capacities Characteristics of new development – Demographic – Socioeconomic