The following is a breakdown of District Revenue.
- Property and Specific Ownership Tax – $2.6M (37%) – This revenue comes from the mill levy that is applied to properties within the district and is the largest amount of district revenue. For 2026, the property tax mill levy will remain at 7.104 mills, which is the same levy assessed since 2004.
- Contract Maintenance – $2M (29%) – The district provides administrative and facility maintenance services to the nearby water and sewer utilities of Southwest Metropolitan, Bow Mar, and Columbine Water and Sanitation Districts, and also Valley Sanitation District.
- Projected Service Charge – $2M (29%) – The infrastructure/service fee will remain at $25 per ¾” meter for 2026. The fee was established to generate additional revenue to fund capital improvements, maintain cash reserves and continue to provide the appropriate level of maintenance to the district’s water delivery and wastewater collection systems. As part of the annual budget process, the Board of Directors reviews various policy issues related to the overall operations of the district including cash reserve requirements.
- Investment Income – $387,000 (5%) – The average yield on district investments in 2026 is projected to be 3 percent.
- System Development – (0%) There is little tap fee revenue projected for 2026. Water and sanitary sewer tap permits continue to decline because there is little undeveloped property within the district boundaries.
Total expenses for 2026 are budgeted at $6.5M.
Operating Expenses – $3.7M
- Personnel Expenses – $2.5M (67%) – The district is largely a service-oriented organization with most of the administration and facility maintenance and operations performed by fifteen full time employees. Therefore, most of the operating expenses are related to personnel costs.
- Water Operations – $408,000 (11%) – This includes general maintenance and repairs such as valve and hydrant replacements. The budget for water main emergencies will remain at $180,000 which represents an average of one water main break per month. The district requires emergency and remedial maintenance services such as excavation work and street restoration which are performed by outside contractors.
- Sewer Operations – $121,000 (3%) This covers root treatment chemicals, annual subscriptions for seven SmartCover Systems and materials for overlay. Emergency sewer maintenance includes system repairs and cleanup costs associated with sewer backups originating within district owned facilities.
- All Other Expenses -$671,000 (19%) – Additional operating expenses include items such as vehicle and equipment maintenance, building lease, communications, production of the district newsletter, maintenance of the website, maintenance of computer and office equipment, dues for memberships in professional associations, and contracting for legal and engineering services.
Capital Projects and Expenses – $2.7M
- Four water main replacements are budgeted for 2026. Project details can be found in the district’s Capital Master Plan.