audit.response.9.09

METROPOLITAN UTILITIES DISTRICT Inter-Department Communication September 15, 2009 METROPOLITAN UTILITIES DISTRICT OF OMAHA RESPONSE TO STATE AUDITOR’S ATTESTATION REVIEW EXECUTIVE SUMMARY As noted on Page 3 of the APA’s report, the mission of the Metropolitan Utilities District of Omaha (District) is to provide customers low-cost, high-quality natural gas and safe drinking water at a cost consistent with sound management practices. Evidence that the recommendations and the decisions that have been made by the District’s Senior Management and Board of the Directors (Board) have supported that mission is found in the 2009 Utility Bill Comparisons for Selected U.S. Cities survey conducted by the Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division of Memphis, Tennessee. The survey compared the rates of 54 U.S. Cities as of January 1, 2009. The survey found that the District’s residential gas charges were the fourth lowest when looking at an average use of 200 ccf (each ccf equals 100 cubic feet of usage). For water, the District’s residential water charges were the ninth lowest when looking at 5 ccf of consumption. The District constantly strives to improve the services it provides to its customers while still maintaining the low rates noted above. All potential options for system improvements, equipment upgrades, and the addition of personnel are weighed against their potential costs and the related need to increase the rates we charge our ...