Audit Disclosure
MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL -AUDIT 2011
PURPOSES OF THE AUDIT
Why did we do it?
In the effort to provide fair and equitable billing for all Multi-Family Residence (MULTI) accounts, the city has elected to perform a physical audit of every MULTI account’s land area and building assets. The results of this exercise are intended to accurately assess the account class and the current values for the Sewer (SWR) and Storm Water Management (SWM) for each account. This updated information will provide the city’s budgetary decision makers with correct projections of revenues and expenditures.
To date, the values on MULTI accounts that are billed monthly were received on good faith from the previous water provider, Tualatin Valley Water District (TVWD). They had received these values from the City of Sherwood’s Building Department at the time the property was developed. In many cases the MULTI accounts were considered “commercial” (COM) accounts and were charged at associated account class rates. Without any updated information from the property owner regarding upgrades to the structure or changes to the land surface (i.e. asphalt or concrete paving) the rates and values remained the same during the transition from TVWD to the City of Sherwood’s Utility Billing Department (COS/UB) in July of 2009.
The current data gathered during the audit will adjust the account class and the values for SWR and SWM on most accounts and will go into effect on the January 2012 Utility Bills.
Who it affects
The effects of these changes will be felt primarily by the owners and their tenants as the overall operating expenses will either decrease or increase. Understandably, this might alter the MULTI owner’s yearly fiscal projections and individual adjustments will follow; however, all City of Sherwood MULTI owners can feel confident that they are being billed correctly for their current structure and can then make more accurate estimates of future upgrade and expansion costs.
Ultimately, all of the residents and businesses will benefit as the decision-makers regarding utility rates and the budget will have the most accurate information with which to steer towards the best outcomes for the health and prosperity of the City of Sherwood.
Intentions of the outcome
With this and future audits the City intends to act according to best practices, to be clear and to fully disclose its billing activities, to promote accuracy and fairness for each account, to treat MULTI owners with their due respect and to offer a stable foundation for growth and enterprise.