JOINT UTILITY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Purpose

To identify and address the current and future management issues facing water and wastewater utility managers and other professionals serving communities in Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico.  To be the source of information and knowledge on utility management issues and importantly, a gathering point and sounding board for meaningful discussion and presentation of sustainable utility management solutions.

Five Key Roles

• Support joint RMSAWWA/RMWEA annual conference technical program by identifying and submitting abstracts on management topics, and helping at conference as moderators and presenters;

• Submit articles for publication in Rumbles and other appropriate places;

• Develop, host, and facilitate an educational program/workshop;

• Serve as a link between the Rocky Mountain Section/WEA and the related committees at the “parent” organizations – AWWA and WEF; and

• Become a general resource to utility managers on management topics, including/especially smaller communities, and become a repository/source of information, resources, and networking.

Responsibilities

Prepare written reports of the committee’s activities for each monthly meeting of RMSAWWA, RMWEA, and the Joint Governing Board.

Attend the monthly meetings of RMSAWWA, RMWEA, and Joint Governing Board (as available).

Prepare written reports of the committee’s activities for the Annual Section Conference.

Submit a proposed yearly program and budget to the Budget and Finance Committee thirty (30) days before the Annual Winter Governing Board Meeting.

Activities

Monthly conference call of the committee – guests invited – usually on the third Tuesday of the month at 3:30 PM Mountain time.

Topics and Issues UMC Addresses

• Financial management topics – including rates, charges, debt, sustainability

• Methods and practices to achieve organizational excellence – including benchmarking and performance management

• Strategic business planning

•  Incorporating “triple bottom line” thinking into your utility culture

• Asset management

• Regionalization and intergovernmental agreements and arrangements

• Environmental management systems and continuous improvement

• Information management strategies and practices

• Adapting management practices from other sectors

• Communications and customer relations strategies

• Workforce strategies and knowledge management

• Professional development and succession planning – including executive and other critical positions/functions

• Recruiting and retaining high quality employees – becoming an “employer of choice”

Members