Master Planning
A master plan is a dynamic long-term planning document that provides a conceptual layout to guide future expansions and improvement. Master planning is about making the connection between current and projected; customer needs, operational costs, human capital requirements, regulations, economic conditions, replacement needs and expansion requirements. A master plan includes analysis, recommendations, and proposals for a utility’s population, economy, assets, regulatory environment, community facilities, and land use. It is based on public input, surveys, planning initiatives, regulatory review, existing development, physical characteristics, and social and economic conditions.
Master planning can be tailored to address some or all of the following items:
- Develop a phasing and implementation schedule and identify priorities for action.
- Act as a framework for prioritizing replacement of existing infrastructure.
- Examine operational costs and develop opportunities for cost reductions.
- Analyze rates and funding strategies to allow improvements to be implemented.
- Identify opportunities for reducing energy use and recovering energy.
- Review utility resiliency, identify weaknesses, and develop plans for improvement.
- Develop strategies for dealing with new or more stringent regulations
- Engage the local community and act as builder of consensus.
A successful master plan provides a customized roadmap that enables utilities to operate and maintain efficient, effective and reliable utility systems that will meet current needs as well as those of generations to come.
Experience
Jones & Henry’s experience in planning, rates, financing and design allows us to assist you in developing a master plan for your utility that intelligently guides the restoration and development of your infrastructure to economically serve your rate payers for years to come.
