Preparing for Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Projects Workshop
- Chapel Hill, NCThis course is also available online.August 5 - 6, 2025
This comprehensive workshop is designed for local government officials and staff involved in the planning, funding, and management of water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Over two days, participants will gain valuable insights and practical tools to effectively navigate the complex requirements inherent to these projects. The first day focuses on planning efforts, including creating capital plans, assessing debt capacity, understanding funding tools and revenue generation strategies, and engaging with engineers/consultants, state agencies, and supportive partners. The second day will focus on effectively managing infrastructure projects once local governments reasonably anticipates receiving the funds. Topics will include policies needed for bidding and contracting, compliance requirements by funding type, budget mechanisms, interlocal considerations, and project management strategies. Participants will receive checklists and guidance on assembling a well-rounded project team and implementing practices that position the project for success.
- Chapel Hill, NCThis course is also available online.August 5 - 6, 2025School of Government
400 South Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27514View Cancellation PolicyCourse participants who cancel their registration on or before July 28, 2025 will receive a full refund. No refund will be made for cancellations on or after July 29, 2025, but you will receive a transferrable credit to be used within 12 months. Click here to view the School’s full cancellation and refund policy.$300.00Registration and payment for this course grants access for a single attendee. In order to register a group of attendees, please register each person individually. If you have questions, please contact our registration office at registration@sog.unc.edu or 919.966.4414.
University of North Carolina School of Government
Preparing for Water/Wastewater
Infrastructure Projects Workshop,
August 2025
Course description:
This comprehensive workshop is designed for local government officials and staff involved in the planning, funding, and management of water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Over two days, participants will gain valuable insights and practical tools to effectively navigate the complex requirements inherent to these projects. The first day focuses on planning efforts, including creating capital plans, assessing debt capacity, understanding funding tools and revenue generation strategies, and engaging with engineers/consultants, state agencies, and supportive partners. The second day will focus on effectively managing infrastructure projects once local governments reasonably anticipate receiving the funds. Topics will include policies needed for bidding and contracting, compliance requirements by funding type, budget mechanisms, interlocal considerations, and project management strategies. Participants will receive checklists and guidance on assembling a well-rounded project team and implementing practices that position the project for success.
DRAFT AGENDA as of May 2025
Subject to change
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
9:00-9:30 am: Workshop Overview + Framework Introduction
Hope Thomson, Senior Project Director, UNC School of Government Environmental Finance Center
9:30-10:00 am: Funding Tools & Options
Kara Millonzi, Professor, UNC School of Government
10:00-11:00 am: Capital Planning & Debt Capacity
Bill Rivenbark, Professor, UNC School of Government
11:15-12:15 pm: Rate setting for Capital Projects
Hope Thomson, Senior Project Director, UNC School of Government Environmental Finance Center
12:15-1:15 pm: Lunch
1:15-1:45 pm: Engage, Expect: Engineers
Speaker TBA
1:45-2:15 pm: Engage, Expect: DEQ/DWI
Speaker TBA
2:30-3:00 pm: Engage, Expect: LGC
Kara Millonzi, Professor, UNC School of Government
3:00-3:30 pm: Engage, Expect: SOG and EFC
Hope Thomson, Senior Project Director, UNC School of Government Environmental Finance Center
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
9:00-10:30 am: Selecting Contracting Parties
Crista Cuccaro, Professor, UNC School of Government
10:45-12:00 pm: Compliance by Funding Type
Kara Millonzi, Professor, UNC School of Government
Crista Cuccaro, Professor, UNC School of Government
12:00-1:00 pm: Lunch
1:00 pm-1:30 pm: Budgeting & Contracting Mechanics
Kara Millonzi, Professor, UNC School of Government
Crista Cuccaro, Professor, UNC School of Government
1:30-2:15 pm: Interlocal Cooperation
Kara Millonzi, Professor, UNC School of Government
Ahmed Rachid El-Khattabi, Interim Executive Director, UNC School of Government Environmental Finance Center
2:30-3:30 pm: Project Management Panel
Hope Thomson (facilitator), Senior Project Director, UNC School of Government Environmental Finance Center
Panelists TBA
Christa Stansbury
