John F. Damico

President and Senior Financial Consultant

Environmental Rate Consultants, Inc.

Education

BBA/1981/Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance & Marketing

MBA/1983/ Masters of Business Administration, Management Information Systems and Taxation

Key Qualifications

Mr. Damico is President of Environmental Rate Consultants, Inc. (ERC). He has over 22 years of experience with implementing storm water management programs, utility rate studies, utility billing systems design and implementation, and cost of service allocation analysis. He specializes in creating and implementing storm water utility programs across the country, in performing storm water, water and wastewater utility rate studies, all aspects of storm water management, facilitation and consensus building, public involvement and public education programs, project management and scheduling, strategic planning, cost of service analysis, special assessments, financial alternatives analysis, management information systems, billing system implementation and geographic information system (GIS) cost/benefit analysis.

 

Storm Water Utility and Master Planning Projects:

Stormwater Utility Program Development and Implementation, Village of Woodridge, Illinois, Year 2005.   As Project Manager, this project consisted of all phases of implementing a storm water utility program Needs Analysis including financial, institutional, legal, organizational, engineering and public information aspects. 

Clermont County, Ohio Regional Storm Water 6117 District Year 2005 & 2006.  As Project Manager, this current project will consist of creating a regional multi-jurisdictional stormwater utility program that includes developing a financial strategy and plan, facilitating a key stakeholder and steering committee, creating a set of regional standards, developing regional master planning guidelines, assisting the County in submitting a single NPDES Phase II permit and many public workshops, and public involvement aspects for the newly created 6117 storm water district. 

Revising an Existing Stormwater Utility Program, City of Chattanooga, Tennessee Year 2003, 2005 & 2006.  As Financial and Policy Development and Business Plan Manager, this project consisted of revising all aspects of the existing stormwater management utility program including facilitating and consensus building a key stakeholder committee, financial, institutional, legal, organizational, engineering, policies and procedures manual revision and development, and public involvement aspects.  The stormwater program analysis includes:  developing a “Storm Water Business Plan” through a strategic planning process to identify all issues to be resolved and identify a program mission and goals; rate structure analysis, gross revenue requirement analysis, comprehensive cost of service analysis, an organizational review, recommendations for the revised stormwater utility service charge rates and a stormwater management utility billing system. 

Stormwater Utility Program Development and Implementation, City of Newark, Ohio, Year 2005 & 2006.   As Project Manager, this is a current project consisting of all phases of implementing a storm water utility program including financial, institutional, legal, organizational, engineering and public information aspects.  The stormwater program analysis includes the facilitation and consensus building of a key stakeholder Technical, Advisory Committee TAC through creating a strategic plan and decision making process to identify all issues to be resolved and identify a program mission and goals; a financing alternative study, rate structure analysis, gross revenue requirement analysis, comprehensive cost of service analysis, an organizational review, recommendations for new stormwater utility service charge rates and a stormwater management utility billing system.

Stormwater Utility Program Development and Implementation, Gwinnett County, Georgia, Year 2003,  2004, 2005 & 2006.   This is a current project that will eventually consist of all phases of implementing a storm water utility program including financial, institutional, legal, organizational, engineering and public information aspects.  The stormwater program analysis includes the facilitation and consensus building of a key stakeholder Technical, Advisory Committee TAC through creating a strategic plan and decision making process to identify all issues to be resolved and identify a program mission and goals; a financing alternative study, rate structure analysis, gross revenue requirement analysis, comprehensive cost of service analysis, an organizational review, recommendations for new stormwater utility service charge rates and a stormwater management utility billing system.

Stormwater Utility Program Development and Implementation, City of Suffolk, Virginia, Year 2004 & 2005.   This is a current project that consists of all phases of implementing a storm water utility program including financial, institutional, legal, organizational, engineering and public information aspects.  The stormwater program analysis includes the facilitation and consensus building of a key stakeholder Technical, Advisory Committee TAC through creating a strategic plan and decision making process to identify all issues to be resolved and identify a program mission and goals; a financing alternative study, rate structure analysis, gross revenue requirement analysis, comprehensive cost of service analysis, an organizational review, recommendations for new stormwater utility service charge rates and a stormwater management utility billing system.

Stormwater Utility Program Development and Implementation, City of Davenport, Iowa, Year 2004 & 2005.   As Project Manager, this project consisted of all phases of implementing a storm water utility program including financial, institutional, legal, organizational, engineering and public information aspects.  The stormwater program analysis includes the facilitation and consensus building of a key stakeholder Technical, Advisory Committee TAC through creating a strategic plan and decision making process to identify all issues to be resolved and identify a program mission and goals; a financing alternative study, rate structure analysis, gross revenue requirement analysis, comprehensive cost of service analysis, an organizational review, recommendations for new stormwater utility service charge rates and a stormwater management utility billing system.

Storm Water Utility Program Development and Implementation, City of Lancaster, Ohio, Year 2002 through 2004. As Project Manager, this is a current project that consists of all phases of implementing a storm water utility program including financial, institutional, legal, organizational, engineering and public information aspects. The storm water program analysis includes the facilitation and consensus building of a key stakeholder Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) through creating a strategic plan and decision making process to identify all issues to be resolved and identify a program mission and goals; a financing alternative study, rate structure analysis, gross revenue requirement analysis, comprehensive cost of service analysis, an organizational review, recommendations for new storm water utility service charge rates and a storm water management utility billing system. 

Storm Water Utility Development and Implementation, City of Milford, Ohio, Year 2003 and 2004. As Project Manager, this is a past project that consisted of all facets of creating and implementing a storm water utility management program. 

Hamilton County, Ohio Regional Storm Water 6117 District, Year 2004 - As Project Manager, this is a past project that consisted of verifying existing database information for the potential of building a storm water utility billing system for the Hamilton County Storm Water District.

Butler County, Ohio Storm Water Billing System Implementation, Year 2003 and 2004 - As Project Manager, this past project consisted of creating a regional storm water billing system for all communities and county properties that fall within the newly created District.  A public relations program and credits program were also included. 

Butler County, Ohio Regional Storm Water 6117 District Year 2002 - As Financial Manager, this past project consisted of creating a regional multi-jurisdictional storm water utility program that included developing a financial strategy and plan, facilitating a key stakeholder and steering committee, creating a set of regional standards, developing regional master planning guidelines, assisting the County in submitting a single NPDES Phase II permit and many public workshops, and public involvement aspects for the newly created 6117 storm water district.

Hamilton County, Ohio Regional Storm Water 6117 District Year 2002 - As Financial Task Manager, this past project consisted of creating a regional multi-jurisdictional storm water utility program that included developing a financial strategy and plan, facilitating and achieving consensus through a key stakeholder steering committee, creating a set of regional standards, developing policies and procedures for this newly created 6117 organization, developing regional master planning guidelines, assisting the region in submitting a single NPDES Phase II permit and many public workshops, and public involvement aspects of the regional project. This was one of the first districts implemented in the State Of Ohio manage storm water on a watershed basis.

Storm Water Utility Program, Expert Witness for, the City of Hudson, Ohio, Year 2002 - As a Financial Expert Witness, the City of Hudson, the Plaintiff in the lawsuit, was suing a national storm water utility engineering firm for NEGLIGENT acts with regard to developing and implementing the City of Hudson’s storm water utility program. ERC provided a "Report of Findings" that found many discrepancies in the financial approach and building block used to create the storm water utility program. The case was settled.

Storm Water Utility Implementation, City of Toledo, Ohio, Year 2000 - As Prime Consultant and Project Manager, this past project consisted of all phases of implementing a storm water management utility program including facilitating, consensus building through a stakeholder group, financial, institutional, legal, organizational, engineering, policies and procedures and public information aspects. The storm water program analysis includes: a strategic planning process to identify all issues to be resolved and identify goals and objectives; a financing alternative study, rate structure analysis, gross revenue requirement analysis, comprehensive cost of service analysis, an organizational review, recommendations for new storm water utility service charge rates and a storm water management utility billing system. Also responsible for coordinating with the billing system upgrade CIS billing system and incorporating the Lucas County Auditors GIS into the City CIS database for billing purposes.

Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio - Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) Year 2002 - As Prime Consultant and Project Manager, this past project consisted of creating a regional multi-jurisdictional storm water utility program that included developing a financial strategy and plan, creating a set of regional standards, developing regional master planning guidelines, assisting the region in submitting a single NPDES Phase II permit and many public workshops, telephone opinion survey and public involvement aspects of the regional project. The regional plan includes creating a legal framework and district under Ohio Revised Code 6119.

Storm Water Management Utility Development, City of Columbus, Ohio, Year 1995 - As Project Manager, this project consisted of all phases of implementing a storm water management utility program including financial, institutional and engineering aspects. The storm water program analysis included a financing alternative study, rate structure analysis, gross revenue requirement analysis, comprehensive cost of service analysis, an organizational review, recommendations for new storm water utility service charge rates and a storm water management utility billing system. Also responsible for coordinating with the billing system upgrade to the SCT Banner System administered by the Division of Water, a separate billing agent for the storm water program.

Storm Water Management Utility Development, City of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Year 1995 - As Project Manager, this project consisted of all phases of implementing a stormwater management utility program including financial, institutional and engineering aspects.  The stormwater program analysis included a financing alternative study, rate structure analysis, gross revenue requirement analysis, comprehensive cost of service analysis, an organizational review, recommendations for new stormwater utility service charge rates and a stormwater management utility billing system.  Also responsible for coordinating with the billing system.  Also responsible for coordinating with the billing system upgrade to the CUBIS administered by the Division of Water.

Storm Water Management Utility Development, City of Norman, Oklahoma, Year 1997 - As Financial Manager, the project included performing a comprehensive Cost of Service Analysis, a Revenue Study, a Rate Study and a Financing Alternative Analysis. The analysis was performed to identify and determine any deficiency in the current procedure of providing storm water service to the customers.

Jefferson County/City of Louisville Storm Water Drainage Master Plan, Jefferson County/City of Louisville, Kentucky, Year 1987 - Served as Billing System Manager for this project, which included development of the master account file for the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) utility billing system. The MSD service area includes over 250,000 customer accounts that were modified and updated in the process. During this engagement, interviewed, hired, trained, and supervised 20 temporary project staff technicians; managed work flow and productivity; and verified quality of final product. Also responsible for coordinating with the Louisville Water Company, the billing system agent for MSD.

Storm Water Management Utility Program and Rate Study, Collier County, Florida, Year 1990 - As Project Manager, the project included updating a cost of service analysis, a rate study and rate structure design by determining total annual revenue and capital revenue requirements. An analysis was performed to identify and determine any deficiencies in the current practices of providing storm water service to the customers of Collier County.

Storm Water Management Program, City of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Year 1996 - Billing System Manager for this project, which included development of the billing system, and master account file for the City of Tulsa, Department of Storm Water Management. The service area included over 250,000 customer accounts. Also responsible for coordinating with the water and sewer customer service and billing department, the billing agent for the storm water utility.

Storm Water Management Program, City of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Year 1996 - This project was a separate contract to the Storm Water Utility Department. Serving as Project Manager, the study objectives included managing all telephone customer service and complaints immediately following the bills being sent for the storm water utility.

Storm Water Management Utility Development, City of Bloomington, Indiana, Year 1990 - As Financial Manager, this project consisted of development of all financial, institutional and engineering aspects of a storm water management utility. Phases of the project included a financing alternative study; rate base and rate structure analysis; cost of service analysis; designing, testing and implementing new storm water utility service charge rates; and a storm water management utility billing system.

Storm Water Needs Analysis - Beavercreek, Ohio, Year 1990 - Financial Manager for a storm water utility feasibility analysis. Analysis included Mayor and Council education, complaint and problem area evaluation, institutional review, cost of service analyses and rate study, revenue analyses and financial alternative analysis.

Storm Water Utility Implementation Manual - South Carolina Land Resources Conservation Commission, March 1993. Program Manager for the development of the Implementation Manual that is "How to" document on the startup and implementation of a storm water utility. The state of South Carolina has developed legislation for the implementation of a Storm Water Utility through the Storm Water Management and Sediment Reduction Act of 1991. This manual is being used throughout the state of South Carolina by communities to develop and implement storm water programs.

Storm Water Management Utility Development, City of Greenwood, Indiana, Year 1990 - As Financial Manager, this project consisted of development of all financial, institutional and engineering aspects of a storm water management utility. Phases of the project included a financing alternative study; rate base and rate structure analysis, gross revenue requirement analysis; cost of service analysis; designing, testing and implementing new storm water utility service charge rates; and a storm water management utility billing system.

Storm Water Management Utility Program and Rate Study, Polk County, Florida, Year 1989 - Study objectives included determining total annual revenue and capital revenue requirements. Allocations of cost components were made to basic storm water functions and to the various customer classes to result in a fair and equitable rate structure for recovering cost of service. An institutional and management review study was also performed.

Storm Sewer Utility Implementation, City of Delaware, Delaware, Ohio, Year 1988 - This project consisted of development of all financial and institutional aspects including: financing alternative study; rate base and rate structure analysis; gross revenue requirement analysis; cost of service; allocation to customer class analysis; and designing, testing, and implementing new storm water utility service charge.

Wastewater (Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term Control Plan) Utility Rate Study and Financial Forecast, City of Toledo, Ohio - Year 2002 This a current project that will be part of a $400 Million Federal Consent Order over the next 15 years. The financial analysis and forecast will include determining total annual revenue requirements, capital revenue requirements, evaluating the overall debt structure and cost of service recovery analysis to provide adequate, fair, and equitable rates of the wastewater and storm water rates and rate structure. All miscellaneous charges, tap fees, connection fees, combined sewer overflow grants and loans are being evaluated. A flexible computer rate model developed in Access and Excel is being developed to allow both the consultant team and City non-technical city staff to maintain and update on an annual basis.

Water and Sewer Utility Rate Study and Financial Forecast, City of Fairborn, Ohio - Year 2002 This is a current project that includes determining total annual revenue requirements, capital revenue requirements, and cost of service recovery analysis to provide adequate, fair, and equitable rates. All miscellaneous charges, tap fees, connection fees etc are being evaluated. A flexible rate model developed in Excel is being developed to allow non-technical city staff to update on an annual basis.

Water and Waste Water Rate Study, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Year 2000 - This is a current project that ERC is assisting the Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority (HWEA) through a local engineering firm, requiring the development of a cost of service analysis for both the water and sewer rate structures to result in a more fair and equitable series of rates for inside the city and out-side the city customers and several large communities/users in the service area. The overall study included a total annual revenue requirement analysis, cost of service analysis, rate structure modification, and billing and administrative recommendations for improvement.

Waste Water Rate Study, City of Dayton - Dayton, Ohio, Year 1997 - This project’s scope required development of a cost of service analysis for the wastewater treatment system to result in fair and equitable rates for city customers and those of four adjacent communities, including Montgomery County, Ohio. The overall study included a total annual revenue requirement analysis, allocation of cost of service to functional cost components, distribution of costs to each cost component, and design and testing of a new rate structure. In addition, a sewer rate sur-charge of fees was established according to the Ohio EPA accepted guidelines.

Waste Water Rate Study, City of Euclid, Ohio - Euclid, Ohio, Year 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 - This project’s scope required development of a cost of service analysis for the wastewater treatment and collection system to result in fair and equitable rates for city customers and those of six adjacent communities that the city provides sewer service to including two master meter agreements. The overall study included a total annual revenue requirement analysis, allocation of cost of service to functional cost components, distribution of costs to each cost component, and design and testing of a new rate structure. In addition, an impact fee schedule was developed for each of the four communities receiving sewer service from the city.

Water and Wastewater Utility Rate Study, Capital Improvements Charge, Impact Fee Program, and Rate Study, City of Boynton, Florida - Boynton Beach, Florida, Year 1989 - Study objectives included determining total annual revenue requirements, capital revenue requirements, allocation of cost components to basic functional water and wastewater cost components, and distribution of each cost component to various customer classes to result in a fair and equitable rate structure for recovering cost of service. A management review study was performed to identify any deficiencies in the current practices of providing water and wastewater.

Water and Wastewater Utility Rate Study, City of Roanoke, Virginia - Roanoke, Virginia, Year 1989 - Study objectives included determining total annual revenue requirements, capital revenue requirements, and cost of service recovery analysis to provide adequate, fair, and equitable rates. Additional scope of services performed included evaluating and updating eleven utility service user fees.

Water and Wastewater Surcharge Utility Rate Study, City of Odessa, Texas - Odessa, Texas, Year 1989. Study objectives included determining total annual revenue requirements, capital revenue requirements, and cost of service recovery analysis to provide adequate, fair, and equitable rates. Additional scope of services performed included developing a departmental cost allocation plan.

Water and Wastewater Utility Rate Study, Victor Valley Water District - Victorsville, California, 1988 - Study objectives included determining total annual revenue requirements, capital revenue requirements, and cost of service recovery analysis to provide adequate, fair and equitable rates.

Water and Sewer Rate Study, Township of Royal Oak, Michigan - Royal Oak, Michigan, Year 1987 - This project consisted of data collection and field observation involving a statistical sample of customer billing information to identify water consumption and sewer flow patterns; development of and programming a computer model for rate analysis.

Water and Sewer Utility Rate Study, Villages of Rushville and West Rushville, Ohio - Ohio, Year 1987 - The scope of service included a cost of service and total annual revenue requirement analysis with allocation and distribution to existing customer class and outside-the-service-area customers. A life cycle cost analysis was performed for new water storage and system expansion.

Sanitary Sewer Utility Rate Study, Village of Peebles - Peebles, Ohio, Year 1987 - Technical analysis was performed on a study involving determination of total annual revenue requirements, three different cost of service alternatives, and a rate structure design and analysis. Impacts upon the capital improvements program were analyzed and incorporated into the study.

Cost Allocation Review and Study, City of Springfield, Ohio, Year 1990 - Study Objectives included allocating costs based on the Circular A-87 federal guidelines for Cost Allocation Plans. Administrative costs and charges were identified such as the City Managers Office, Accounting Department, Data Processing, Human Resources and Legal, and were allocated back to direct receiving departments such as the utilities enterprise fund, police and fire, and special revenue funds for property allocation.

Cost Allocation Review and Study, Hamilton County, Lucas County, Montgomery County, and Franklin County, Ohio, Year 1990 - Study objectives included allocating costs based on the Circular A-87 federal guidelines for Cost Allocation Plans.

Geographic Information System (GIS) Projects:

GIS Cost/Benefit Analysis, Hamilton County, Tennessee, Year 1997 - Study objectives include allocating costs and benefits based on the GIS accepted standards.

FEMA Community Rating System (CRS) Program Projects:

CRS Program Annual Certification and Application, Metropolitan Sewer District, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, Year 1998 - Project Manager for annual application (re-certification).

Publications

1.  Damico, John F., "Louisville Jefferson County Stormwater Program Billing System Implementation Process". 1988.

2.  Damico, John F., "Stormwater Management Programs: An Accountant's Perspective".  Cities and Villages, The Journal of the Ohio Municipal League, December 1990.

3.  Damico, John F., and McKinley, Steve, "Regional Approach in Hamilton County, Ohio to Phase II Permitting Encourages Cooperation and Reduces Cost, for the Center for Watershed Protection". Paper was presented in Chicago on February 19^th 2003 at the Urban Stormwater: Enhancing Programs at the Local level Conference.

4.  Damico, John F. "Four Required Ingredients That Will Guarantee a Successful Storm Water Utility Program Implementation".  Stormwater Magazine.  Paper was presented at the 2003 StormCon North American Surface Water Quality Conference and Exposition 2003 Conference July 29, 2003.

5.  Damico, John F.,  "Give Credit Where Credit is Due".  Stormwater Magazine.  Paper was presented at the 2003 StormCon North American Surface Water Quality Conference and Exposition 2003 Conference July 29, 2003.

6. .  Damico, John F., and Curtis, Bud, "Financing Stormwater Facilities, A Utility Approach".  This document can be purchased on the APWA website for $15.00.  Publication completed August 2003.

7.  Damico, John F., - "Click, Listen and Learn APWA Internet Presentation – Case Studies in Stormwater NPDES Phase II Communities".  This CD and documentation can be purchased as the APWA website for $45.00.

8.  Damico, John F., - "Storm Water Changes in Technology".  A presentation discussing the 3 major rate structures used in developing a storm water program.  Paper was presented at the 2004 StormCon North American Surface Water Quality Conference and Exposition July 28, 2004.

9.  Damico, John F., - “A Comprehensive and Affordable Public Involvement Program for an NPDES Phase II Community. Paper was presented at the 2004 StormCon North American Surface Water Quality Conference and Exposition July 28, 2004.

10.  Damico, John F., - Published Article.  APWA Reporter September 2004.  "Who's Going to Pick Up the Tab?"  This article discussed the topics to be covered at the 2004 APWA International Public Works Congress and Exposition Pre-Congress Workshop to be held on September 11, 2004.

11.  Damico, John F., - "Who's Going to Pick Up the Tab?"  A Storm Water Funding Options Training Seminar to be held during the 2004 APWA International Public Works Congress and Exposition Pre-Congress Workshop September 11, 2004.

12. Damico, John F., “What Type of Rate Study Does My Community Need?”.  An Article Published in the February 2005 APWA Monthly Reporter.

13. Damico, John F., “Funding Techniques For Implementing Municipal Stormwater Utility Programs”.  A Presentation at the 16^th Annual Environment Virginia – “Environmental Strategies For ONE Virginia. Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia, April 12, 2005.

14. Damico, John F., “Impervious Area versus Intensity of Development Rate Structure”.  A Presentation Discussing the 2 Major Rate Structures Used In Developing A Stormwater Program.  StormCon Orlando, Florida July 19, 2005.