Our Services Include:

 

²    Comprehensive Planning

²    Outreach and Public Involvement

²    Urban Planning Studies

²    Collection and Analysis of Planning Data

²    Capital Improvements Planning

²    Impact Fees

²    Financial Planning Models for Utilities

²    Revenue Bond Reports

²    Water and Wastewater Rates

²    Population Projections

Comprehensive Planning

Hall Consulting, Inc. develops Comprehensive Plans for Towns, Cities, and Counties.  We specialize in Comprehensive Plans that meet the State of Georgia’s “Local Planning Requirements”, effective May 1, 2005.  We complete plans at the Advanced Planning Level, Minimal Planning Level, and everything in between.  We can also help communities with specific components of their plans, such as visions or Short Term Work Programs.

Outreach and Public Involvement

Planning is enhanced by outreach and public involvement. Local residents can provide valuable input as plans are developed.  A good public involvement program ensures that plans are consistent with the needs of the community.  Our team designs and implements public involvement programs for Comprehensive, Land Use, Transportation, and other planning efforts.

Urban Planning Studies

Urban Planning Studies apply modern urban planning strategies to specific issues.  Urban Planning Studies can provide ideas and solutions to a broad array of challenges that face local and county governments.  We address questions like, “What code enforcement strategies would work in my community?” and “How have other communities dealt with downtown parking problems?” 

Collection and Analysis of Planning Data

We can assist with the collection and analysis of data.  Knowing what planning information is available, what can be helpful, and where to find it streamlines any planning endeavor.  We can help with Comprehensive Plans, Land Use Plans, Zoning Ordinances, and other planning studies.

Capital Improvements Planning

We can assist Public Utilities in scheduling projects based on available funding sources and net income generated by the system. Work products can include revenue sufficiency analysis, growth projections, spreadsheet models, recommendations for rate revenue increases and revenue bonds, and description and schedule of projects. Funding sources may include system-generated revenues, state and federal loans, revenue bonds, sales tax, general fund transfers, and grants.

Impact Fees

Impact Fees can be used to help pay for capital facilities.  The fees must be proportionate to the impact of the new development.  Impact fees can be used for libraries, utilities, parks, and other capital needs.  Our planning team can develop equitable, defensible impact fees.

Financial Planning Models for Utilities

Financial Planning Models allow a Public Utility to project the ability of its water and sewer system to pay for future operations and planned capital improvements. We can develop a model tailored to individual systems, projecting ahead from five to twenty-five years. The model can also incorporate a rate setting module to calculate the required rates.

A Revenue Bond Report is typically required when a Public Utility pursues a revenue bond to fund their capital improvements. The report includes a description of the projects, discussion on why they are needed, an analysis of the financial operations of the system, and projections of revenues and net system funds generated.

Water and Wastewater Rates

Water and wastewater rates have a variety of ways in which they can be calculated. We can develop rate models to suit your utility’s goals and objectives. Base charges and minimum bills will add to the complexity of an overall rate model. These and other user fees need to be carefully considered in determining a community’s water and wastewater rate.  We can develop a variety of water rate structures based on the needs of the utility.  These may include declining block, increasing block, uniform rate, individualized rates for water conservation, and other specialized water rates. Rates can also be calculated for different customer classes.