Estimated costs for the computer, connection/service and training are $1,500 x 100 facilities = $150,000 one time costs related to purchasing a computer.
Annual computer costs: Annualized internet access costs for new computer users to prepare CMAR's are based upon an estimated annual use of one month per year: $360 yr/facility x 100 facilities x 1 month/12 months = $3,000.
CMAR form completion costs: It is estimated it will take the same amount of time for current permittees to fill out the computer CMAR form as the current paper copy form for the first two years of the electronic submittal program. After this two year period, there should be local cost savings because operators will be familiar with the computer form. Third year cost savings are estimated to be 669 current permittees (979 total permittees - 310 collection system permittees) x 2 hrs/permitee x $16.25/hr = $21,743. There will be an annual copying/mailing savings for permittees of $1,243 once electronic submittal is in place: this cost savings will occur during the first year of the program and thereafter.
Beginning January 2006, an estimated 310 municipalities with separate collection systems will be required to complete the CMAR for the first time. We estimate 4 hours to organize data and complete the form. Estimated additional costs for the second year of the program are: 310 facilities x 4/hr facility x $16.25/hr = $20, ISO. After operators become familiar with filling out the form electronically, we estimate 3 hours to organize data and complete the form. Third year costs are estimated to be 310 facilities x 3 hr/facility x $16.25/hr = $15,113.
Operation and Needs Review (ONR): An additional 50 facilities may need to do an Operation and Needs Review (ONR) follow-up to the CMAR form as a result of the rule revisions. We estimate 50 hours to complete the ONR. ONRs can be completed by a consulting firm or the municipality's employees. Estimated annualized costs for the ONR reviews are 50 facilities x 50 hrs/facility x $50/hr = $125,000.
Total local expenditures include a one time cost for computers of $150,000. In addition, first, second and third year cost estimates are as follows:
Local Cost Summary Table
First Year Second Year Third Year
Computer access $ 3,000 $3,000 $3,000
CMAR form completion
savings for current permittees -21,743
CMAR form for collection systems 20,150 15,113
Mailing/Postage savings - 1,243 - 1,243 - 1,243
Operation & Needs Review
preparation (ONR's) 125,000 125,000 125,000
Totals $ 126,757 $ 146,907 $ 120,127
Third year costs represent annualized costs.
II. STATE EXPENDITURES:
CMAR reviews: We estimate it will take the same amount of time for DNR Basin Engineers and Specialists to review and reply to questions regarding the computer CMAR form as the current paper copy form for the first two years of the electronic submittal program. After a two year phase-in period, there will be state cost savings because operators will be more familiar with the computer form and there will be fewer errors requiring follow-up. Third year savings in review time for current facilities is estimated to be 669 facilities x 2 hrs/facility x $25/hr = $33,450.
DNR Basin Engineers and Specialists will review an additional 310 collection system CMAR forms beginning in July 2006. The annualized cost estimate for this activity is 310 facilities x 2 hrs/facility x $25/hr = $15,500.
ONR reviews: We estimate the submittal of an additional 50 Operation and Needs Review (ONR) follow-ups to the CMAR form as a result of the rules revision. Estimated costs for DNR Basin Engineers and Specialists to review the ONRs are 50 ONRs x 10 hrs/ONR x $25/hr = $12,500.
Program Phase-In Staff Assistance to Permittees: We estimate there will be a half hour of DNR staff CMAR form assistance for each facility for the first two years. This estimate also includes one-on-one staff time to work with facilities who have not used a computer. Cost estimates are 979 facilities x 0.5 hr/facility x $20/hr = $9,790 for the first two years of the program. In the third year, this work activity will be eliminated.
Copying/Mailing/Data Entry: Annual costs to print and mail the paper CMAR form are $1,242. A DNR staff person currently enters limited data from CMAR forms into a database at a cost of 312 hrs/yr x $15.50/hr = $4,836. A basin engineer helps reconcile data in the database at a cost of 40 hrs x $301hr = $1,200. Once the web-based CMAR form is available, these tasks will be eliminated resulting in an annual savings of $7,278 ($1,242 + $4,836 + $1,200). These cost reductions will off-set the increases in costs to provide staff assistance to permittees during the first two years.
CMAR form computer programmer maintenance contract costs: There will be a higher first year programming cost to maintain the CMAR web-based form of 350 hours X $65/hr = $22,750. The second year programming cost to maintain the CMAR web-based form is estimated to be 175 hrs x $65/hr = $11,375. Third year annualized costs are 50 hrs x $65/hr = $3,250. Computer maintenance work will be contracted out by the Department.
Summary of First, Second and Third Year State Costs:
DNR Cost Summary Table
First Year Second Year Third Year
CMAR form review savings
for current permittees $ -33,450
CMAR form review for collection
systems $ 15,500 15,500
Operation and Needs
Report reviews (ONR's) $ 12,500 12,500 12,500
Program Phase-in Staff
Assistance 9,790 9,790
Copying/Mailing/Data
Entry Savings -7,278 -7,278 -7,278
Computer Maintenance
(contracted out) 22,750 11,375 3,250
Totals $37,762 $41,887 $ -9,478
State expenditures for staff will not increase to cover the program revisions. Other state activities associated with wastewater management will be curtailed or modified to implement the program revisions. Third year costs represent annualized costs. Cost decreases in the third year represent decreased staff time allocated to CMAR program reviews which will be allocated to other priority wastewater workload activities. There will be no reduction in state revenues associated with state cost decreases.
Copies of Rule and Contact Person
Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted to Mr. Jack Saltes, Bureau of Watershed Management, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 no later than April 30, 2004. Written comments will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the hearings. A copy of the proposed rule and fiscal estimate may be obtained from Mr. Saltes.
