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RUBA Status Report

Community: Chefornak RUBA: Yes
Staff: Ken Berlin Agreement: No
DCA Region: Bethel Agreement Date:
Region: Lower Kuskokwim Exp Date:
Govt Type(s): 2nd Class City
Borough: Unorganized Assessment Date: 11/1/2011
Population: 475
Active Community: Yes Date Updated: 3/27/2013


Community Sanitation Overview: Chefornak, a village of approximately 418 residents, is located on the south bank of the Kinia River, at its junction with the Keguk River, in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Chefornak is 94 air miles southwest of Bethel and 490 miles southwest of Anchorage. The city operates a small water treatment plant which pulls water from a local well. Water is provided to the community from 12 watering points for 25 cents per 7-10 gallons via token purchase. Residents also use rain water and melted ice for drinking and domestic use. The community's water treatment facility provides piped water to the local school, health clinic, fish processor, and project camps. The city also owns and manages the community landfill, lagoon, and electric company. The city owns and operates a garbage hauling service on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a fee of $10 per month. A sanitation service, hauling honey bucket waste, is provided on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for a $25 monthly fee. The city offers low income households a reduced monthly fee for hauling services. A tank flush and haul service for $25 and water fill for $10 is provided on an as needed basis to seven homes. Several of the homes which were provided flush and haul systems are using honey buckets as their systems are no longer working for various reasons. The operation of the utility and hauling services is subsidized by a 2% city sales tax, gaming, and Community Revenue Sharing. A new washeteria was completed in 2011 offering the community four dryers, three washers, and two showers plus a bathroom available via token purchase.
RUBA Status and Activities This Quarter: In 2009 the city entered into a contract with Principal Financial Group to set up a retirement system for the City of Chefornak's employees. January 23, 2013 DEC Engineer, called concerning Chefornak's water pipes being frozen, electrical hook up problems, the city administrator leaving and Mr. Mael working for the DEC on the water and wastewater project. DEC/VSW wanted me to get in contact with the city administration and work on the issues that are ongoing with the water and wastewater project. February 12, 2013 RUBA staff received a request for a rater study from the utility manager of the City of Chefornak. Staff requested from administrative staff to mail a copy of the 'The Water Rate Calculator Guidebook', which was promptly done. March 21, 2013 RUBA staff traveled to Chefornak and worked with the City of Chefornak's administrative and finance staff on the finance reports and water and wastewater rate study. The QuickBooks Pro system was not set up correctly and did not produce accurate finance reports so a manual reporting system was set up to be used until the QuickBooks Pro is set up properly. City staff was advised to contact Turnagain Press to work on the QuickBooks Pro system. Also the city is on two separate QuickBooks Pro systems one for the utility and another for the other city accounts. These two computers need to be networked. City staff was provided with 'The Water Rate Calculator Guidebook' to use to get the City Council actual operation and maintenance costs to base the new water and wastewater rates. The city has two EIN numbers with IRS, one for the City of Chefornak and another for the water utility. City was advised to close the water utility EIN. The water utility was previously operating under the Chefornak Traditional Council and had it's own EIN. The City was advised to hold at least one work place safety meeting per month. Crowley is still flying in fuel for the Naterkaq Light Plant. IRS release form dated March 19, 13 listed the Chefornak Water and Sewer Utility compliant and with a credit balance. The state DOL/ESC deemed the city compliant on March 20, 13. The city is not listed on the January-February 2013 Lien Watch.

Capacity Indicator: Finances
Essential Indicators
Yes All revenues and expenses for the utility are listed in the utility budget.
Yes The utility has adopted a balanced realistic budget.
No Monthly financial reports are prepared and submitted to the policy making board.
No The utility is current in paying all water/wastewater electric bills.
Yes The utility has on hand a year's adequate fuel supply or it has a financial plan to purchase an adequate supply.
No The utility is receiving revenues (user fees or other sources) sufficient to cover operating expenses.
Sustainable Indicators
No The utility is receiving revenues (user fees or other sources sufficient to cover operating expenses and Repair & Replacement (R) costs.
No YTD revenues are at a level equal to or above those budgeted.
No YTD expenditures are at a level equal to or below those budgeted.
Yes A monthly manager's report is prepared.
Yes Budget amendments are completed and adopted as necessary.
Finances Comment: The City of Chefornak adopted its FY13 annual budget and is on file in the Juneau office. Finance reports are not up to date. The QuickBooks Pro system was not set up correctly and did not produce accurate finance reports so a manual reporting system was set up to be used until the QuickBooks Pro is set up properly. City staff was advised to contact Turnagain Press to work on the QuickBooks Pro system. Also the city is on two separate QuickBooks Pro systems one for the utility and another for the other city accounts. Without the finance reports RUBA could not determine if the utility was receiving revenues sufficient to cover operating expenses. The city owned electric utility, Naterkaq Light Plant, ordered fuel last fall but the fuel was not delivered due to early freeze up. Crowley is delivering fuel by air as of March 20, 2013. The electric utility's bulk fuel storage tanks are not sufficient to store enough fuel to last until the spring barge. The electric utility relies on the local village corporation to sell them fuel to last until spring. The electric utility usually runs out of fuel in March of the following year. The city is addressing this problem among other projects in the community.

Capacity Indicator: Accounting Systems
Essential Indicators
Yes The utility has adopted a collection policy and actively follows it.
Yes The utility bills customers on a regular basis.
No An accounts receivable system is in place which tracks customers and reports past due accounts and amounts.
Yes An accounts payable system is in place.
Yes The payroll system correctly calculates payroll and keeps records.
Yes A cash receipt system is in place that records incoming money and how it was spent.
Yes The utility has a cash disbursement system that records how money was spent.
Sustainable Indicators
Yes A chart of accounts is used that identifies categories in a reasonable, usable manner.
Yes Monthly bank reconciliations have been completed for all utility accounts.
No The utility has a purchasing system that requires approval prior to purchase, and the approval process compares proposed purchases to budgeted amounts.
Accounting Systems Comment: Ordinance 09-01: Title II Village Water and Sewer Department, adopted on January 21, 2009, includes the city's collection policy. Utility bills are sent to customers on a monthly basis on or before the last week of each month. All bills not paid within 40 days are considered delinquent. The city provides an option for deferred payment agreements for customers demonstrating an economic hardship, a signed agreement and one-third of the outstanding bill is required up front. The remaining outstanding balance, in installments, is required to be paid within 12 months of the signed agreement. This policy is actively adhered to. The city uses QuickBooks Pro 2012 for its accounting and payroll. An aging report reflects several delinquent accounts exceeding 90 days overdue. This report however is not accurate as payments are not correctly posted to customer accounts. The city will need to post payments to specific customer invoices to reflect an accurate report of accounts. The city's accounts payable is accurate and invoices are paid as received. Manual cash receipt booklets (Quality Service) are used separated by services provided by the city. As mentioned previously, payment and receipts for utility bills need to be accurately posted to specific customer accounts. A written cash disbursement log is kept by month indicating the date of transaction, description, amount withdrawn or deposited and an ending balance. The city maintains a written and electronic chart of accounts for all budgeted revenue and expense categories. The city's accounting clerk completes monthly bank reconciliations. Ordinance 02-11: Adopting a Purchase Policy for all Accounting Departments, has been drafted but has not been approved by the council.

Capacity Indicator: Tax Problems
Essential Indicators
Yes The utility has a system to accurately calculate, track, and report payroll tax liabilities.
Yes The utility is current on filing tax reports.
Yes The utility is current on making tax deposits.
N/A If there are any past due tax liabilities or recorded tax liens, a lien release has been issued or a repayment agreement has been signed and repayments are current.
Tax Problems Comment: The city uses QuickBooks Pro 2012 to accurately calculate, track and report payroll liabilities. IRS release form dated March 19, 13 listed the Chefornak Water and Sewer Utility compliant and with a credit balance. The state DOL/ESC deemed the city compliant on March 20, 13. The city is not listed on the January-February 2013 Lien Watch. It was recommended to close the water and sewer utility EIN since it is operated under the city.

Capacity Indicator: Personnel System
Essential Indicators
Yes The utility has a posted workers compensation insurance policy in effect.
Sustainable Indicators
Yes The utility has adopted and uses a Personnel Policy, which has been reviewed by an attorney, AML or Commerce for topics and language.
Yes The utility has adequate written job descriptions for all positions.
Yes The utility has adopted and follows a written personnel evaluation process that ties the job description to the evaluation.
Yes The utility has an adequate written hiring process.
Yes The utility has personnel folders on every employee that contain at least: I-9, Job Application and Letter of Acceptance.
Yes The utility has a probationary period for new hires that includes orientation, job training/oversight, and evaluations.
Yes The utility provides training opportunities to staff as needed and available.
Personnel System Comment: The city is covered through Alaska Municipal League Joint Insurance Association (AMLJIA) workers compensation insurance coverage through July 1, 2013. Ordinance 09-02: Title II Chapter 2.8 Personnel Policy Requirements, adopted on January 21, 2009, outlines personnel policies for the City of Chefornak including topics such as merit system; classification and compensation; promotion; discrimination; nepotism; recruitment and hiring of personnel; work and pay schedules; evaluations; leave and holidays; resignation, layoff, and dismissal; and grievance procedures. Pursuant to the adopted personnel policy Chapter 2.84 Section 8, every original appointment and promotional appointment of a permanent employee is subject to a probation period of three months from date of appointment. RUBA staff reviewed detailed job descriptions for the water/pump house operator, water utility clerk, refuse hauler, sanitarian, and alternates for each position. Pursuant to Chapter 2.86 of the city's adopted personnel policy, all employees shall receive a written performance evaluation at the end of their probationary period and thereafter on their anniversary date. The city has a detailed personnel evaluation report and requires employees to also complete a self evaluation. The city manager conducts quarterly staff meetings to discuss current issues with employees. Chapter 2.84 of the city's personnel policy outlines the recruitment and hiring of personnel. Pursuant to policy, notice of permanent and temporary job openings of more than 2 weeks in duration shall be posted in at least three public places within the city. Notice shall include at a minimum the job title, rate of pay, duration of the job, and ending date of the recruitment period. Notice shall be posted for a minimum of three days. Review of three employee files indicated the city maintains personnel folders containing I-9's, job applications, and a letter of acceptance. The utility provides training opportunities to its staff on an as needed and available basis. City staff has successfully completed QuickBooks, Financial Management for Rural Utilities, and Small Water System and Distribution certifications.

Capacity Indicator: Organizational Management
Essential Indicators
Yes The entity that owns the utility is known; the entity that will operate the utility is set.
Yes The policy making body is active in policy making of the utility.
Yes The policy making body enforces utility policy.
Yes The utility has an adequately trained manager.
Yes The utility has an adequately trained bookkeeper.
Yes The utility has an adequately trained operator or operators.
Yes The utility has adopted the necessary ordinances (or rules and regulations) necessary to give it the authority to operate.
Sustainable Indicators
Yes The utility has adopted an organizational chart that reflects the current structure.
Yes The policy making body meets as required.
Yes The utility complies with the open meeting act for all meetings.
Organizational Management Comment: Ordinance 98-01 adopted in 1998 established the Chefornak Public Water and Sewer Department whereby deeming the city as the owner and operator of the utility. Ordinance 09-01 adopted on January 21, 2009, amends the original ordinance deeming the city council as the utility's authority further setting rates and regulations. The bookkeeper's position needs to be official set up within the administratrative and finance office. Currently, the city clerk and administrator are doing accounting work. The bookkeepers could use additional training and assistance in accurately setting up the QuickBooks. Both water treatment operators are certified to the class of the city's utility system. Council adopted the city's organizational chart in September 2011, as previous adoption could not be verified. Pursuant to state statute, the city council meets the first Thursday of each month and conducts special meetings to address city business as needed. The city complies with the Open Meetings Act by posting for council meetings in advance allowing for public participation and prepares meeting minutes of council proceedings.

Capacity Indicator: Operation of Utility
Essential Indicators
Yes The utility operator(s) are actively working towards necessary certification.
Yes The utility has a preventative maintenance plan developed for the existing sanitation facilities.
Sustainable Indicators
Yes The manager receives a monthly O&M report from the utility operator and routinely "spot checks" the facilities to see that the maintenance items are being completed.
Yes The utility has a safety manual and holds safety meetings.
Yes Utility facilities have not suffered any major problems/outages due to management issues that are unresolved.
Yes The utility is operating at the level of service that was proposed.
Yes The operator provides status reports to the manager on a routine basis.
No The utility has completed and distributed its "Consumer Confidence Report".
Yes The utility is not on the "Significant Non-Complier" (SNC) list.
No The utility maintains an inventory control list.
No The utility maintains a critical spare parts list.
Operation of Utility Comment: Both water treatment operators are certified to the class of the city's utility system. Due to the system being 30 years old, there is no written and relevant maintenance plan; however, the operators are using checklists as a maintenance plan to maintain their system. Monthly operation and maintenance reports for the utility operator are being completed, and routine spot checks of the facilities are conducted by the city manager. Regular safety meetings are held, documented, and sent to RUBA staff for review. The community was not on the January 2013 Significant Non-Complier (SNC) list. A copy of the community's 2010 CCR is on file at the Bethel regional office for review. The city was not able to provide RUBA staff with an inventory control list or a critical spare parts list.


RUBA Activities for the Coming Quarter: RUBA staff will continue efforts to assist the community in meeting essential and sustainable indicator compliance.