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RUBA Status Report

Community: Chignik RUBA: Yes
Staff: Barbara Higgins Agreement: Yes
DCA Region: Anchorage Agreement Date: 11/22/2005
Region: Alaska Peninsula Exp Date: 11/22/2007
Govt Type(s): 2nd Class City
Borough: Lake & Peninsula Borough Assessment Date: 1/12/2011
Population: 102
Active Community: Yes Date Updated: 3/29/2013


Community Sanitation Overview: Water is supplied by Indian Creek, which has a dam and a reservoir. Water is treated and piped into most of the homes and the school, and a well is available for back-up water supply. A second system serves the Trident fish processor, the airport area, and a few homes, and utilizes a groundwater well as a source. A project to eliminate the dual system by extending a new mainline from a new storage tank at one end of town to the airport at the other end of town is now complete. Improvements to the treatment plant are still in progress and include new filters and upgraded valves and chemical feed equipment. Piped sewage for most of the community is collected in three group systems into community septic tanks and wastewater is discharged via ocean outfall lines. Approximately 45 homes are served, and the remaining few homes use individual septic tanks. An improvement project replacing the multiple system structure with a unified sewer system for the entire community has been completed. A new permitted landfill and access road were recently completed. A feasibility study of hydroelectric generation at Indian Lake has been funded, but requires an agreement with the local processing plant on FERC620 and water rights before the project can proceed. Electricity is provided by city owned Chignik Electric. The city received and expended funding from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) for recent upgrades to the piped system and lift stations and for making a connection to the system between the east and west side of town. The water treatment plant's filtration system remains out of compliance due to the city's use of surface water. A new funding source is needed to bring this into compliance with upgrades to the treatment plant and filtration system. The city currently does not own the water source however it is in negotiations with the landowners to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding for conveyance of the water rights. The RUBA assessment will continue to ensure that the city is meeting grant expectations and sustainability and will allow the city to remain in the three year funding cycle.
RUBA Status and Activities This Quarter: The city this quarter made budget amendments, requested funding from the Legislature for repairs to the walkway and pipeline to the water supply, submitted the application for their Community Revenue Sharing money and hired a new city clerk. LGS staff was notified that the city has been removed from the Alaska Marine Highway System, due to the lack of a safe and adequate docking facility in the community. The ferry has traditionally made its docking at the local seafood company's dock. The dock was deemed unsafe and in need of repairs. The Seafood Company, borough and city are in negotiations to have dolphins built to accommodate the ferry and meet DOT specifications. The city had requested assistance with understanding the process with going to the bond bank for funding and the requirements necessary to be in place to obligate the city and the people or whether a loan would be most appropriate. LGS staff provided citations from the Alaska statues for city staff to be prepared for the city/borough council meeting and to be informed as to what their options are.

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.
Yes Monthly financial reports are prepared and submitted to the policy making board.
Yes 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.
Yes 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.
Yes YTD revenues are at a level equal to or above those budgeted.
Yes 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 adopted the FY13 budget on June 29, 2012. A copy of the approved budget was submitted to the Division of Community and Regional Affairs as required by law. The budget includes an income line item of $52,000 for residential customers. This amount is based on a one hundred percent collection rate; the collection rate has been 86 percent. Monthly financial reports comparing actual year to date revenues and expenses to the budget are included in the agenda packets for every regular meeting and referenced in the meeting minutes. RUBA staff has received copies of the monthly financial reports up to the period ending February 2013. Year to date revenues are exceeding expenses for this period, however a budget amendment was needed to transfer funds to line items that would allow work to begin on projects in the community. The utility does not have a line item for Repair and Replacement expenses in the budget or on monthly financial reports.

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.
Yes 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: The utility bookkeeper uses QuickBooks Pro 2011 for financial recordkeeping, including all payroll records. The bookkeeper is proficient in the use of QuickBooks: payroll records are known to be up to date through February 2013. The utility clerk writes a receipt for any income received. A copy of every receipt is kept in a permanent receipt book. At the end of the day, new data from the receipt book is entered into the utility's computerized accounting system. All payments are made by check. Every check includes an amount, an expense account and a description of what the payment is for. Copies of paid invoices are kept in the vendor files. The utility's chart of accounts identifies all asset accounts (undeposited funds, bank accounts, and accounts receivable), all liability accounts (current, long-term and payroll liabilities), and fund balances. Income and expense accounts are identified in a manner that matches the income and expense line items in the budget. Bank reconciliations are know to have been completed through February 2013. The utility does not require purchase orders for proposed purchases. There is a verbal understanding that all purchases that exceed $1,000 require the approval of the mayor.

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 the QuickBooks Pro 2011 accounting program to accurately caculate, track, and report payroll tax liabilities. On March 15, 2013 RUBA staff received confirmation from the Department of Labor and the IRS that the city is deemed compliant with all tax reports and deposits. The utility is not found on the most recent Lien Watch report (February 2013).

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.
No 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 Notice of Insurance is posted in plain view in the city offices. According to the Notice of Insurance, workers compensation insurance is provided by the Alaska Municipal League Joint Insurance Association from July 1, 2012 to July 1, 2013. A check of the Division of Workman's Compensation website on March 27, 2013 confirmed the policy is in effect. A copy of the city's personnel policies, adopted October 14, 2006, is on file with RUBA staff. Job descriptions are up to date and expressly outline each employee's required duties. RUBA staff has copies of the job descriptions on file. The city does have a written evaluation process. Employees state they have not been formally evaluated annually. The hiring process is described in the utility's personnel policies adopted October 14, 2006. Personnel folders are current and available for all employees. The probationary period or introductory period for new hires is three months, as described in the personnel policy. New hires are evaluated at the end of the introductory period. The utility budget includes an appropriation of $771.00 for staff training.

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: The utility ordinance identifies the city as the owner and operator of the utility. Council meeting minutes were provided to confirm that the council reviews policies and rates on an annual basis and makes changes as needed. Meeting minutes are current through February 2013. The city's mayor fills the role of administrator. The mayor competently develops and oversees the utility budget, oversees the utility operator and the utility clerk, and has historically provided monthly reports to the governing body. The bookkeeper has held the position for a number of years and is experienced on the job. She is competent and maintains all of the accounting systems in a professional and timely manner. The facility is a Small Water System/Treated. According to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation website, the primary utility operator has the required level of training and certification for this system. The primary operator has a Water Treatment-Provisional and Water Distribution-Provisional certifications that expire December 31, 2015, but does not have the required number of CEUs for renewal. There is a backup operator that is not certificated. The city adopted a utility ordinance in September 2008. RUBA staff has a copy of the signed ordinance on file. The city has an organizational chart that is updated as needed. A copy of the organizational chart is on file. Meeting minutes and agendas have been submitted though February 2013 to confirm that agendas are posted, and meetings that did occur were open to the public as required by the Open Meetings Act.

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.
Yes The utility has completed and distributed its "Consumer Confidence Report".
Yes The utility is not on the "Significant Non-Complier" (SNC) list.
Yes The utility maintains an inventory control list.
Yes The utility maintains a critical spare parts list.
Operation of Utility Comment: The utility has a preventative maintenance plan that was developed by the Remote Maintenance Worker. A copy of the plan is on file with RUBA. The operator uses a checklist to verify that preventive maintenance is performed. The mayor spot checks the utility on a routine basis. The utility has a safety manual on file. The mayor receives verbal updates weekly from the operator. RUBA staff received a copy of the 2011 CCR certificate. The utility is not on the SNC list The utility has an inventory control list which is on file with RUBA staff. The utility has a critical spare parts list on file. To prevent unnecessary outages, critical spare parts are kept in stock at the utility.


RUBA Activities for the Coming Quarter: Based on this assessment, RUBA assistance to this community depends on the community meeting a baseline level of progress towards improvement. The council is encouraged to sign a RUBA Agreement that outlines the services this division will provide that stipulates the actions the city will take and continue to provide in order to receive the RUBA assistance.