Master Plans

Master plan projects are the opportune time for utilities to carefully examine their long-term financial strategies and evaluate their costs of service in the context of the community’s expectations. We recommend that utilities take the opportunity during a master plan to look at two key areas:

The impact of growth on the existing cost structure of the utility. StepWise can help utilities implement development fees that are tied to the utility’s plan for building the infrastructure needed for new customers. This can be a major funding source for growth related projects.
Binoculars by a lake

Alignment of capital project costs with short and long-term financial resources. StepWise can help quantify the impacts of master plan implementation so the utility can align its short and long-term financial resources in a way that minimizes impacts on customers’ rates. We help identify smart strategies that keep rates down while the plan is implemented.