Rate / Budget Analyst

The City-County of Butte-Silver Bow•Butte, MT

About The Position

The Rate / Budget Analyst performs analytical, administrative, and technical work related to maintaining utility rates and assessing Special Improvement Districts (SIDs). The role partners with City-County departments to develop and administer utility rate structures, support budget preparation, prepare rate resolutions, and present financial information to the Council of Commissioners. The position may manage selected budgets and contributes to community-focused services. Work is performed under the general direction and supervision of the Finance & Budget Director, with assignments also made by the Land System Administrator. The employee exercises independent judgment and initiative and maintains cooperative working relationships with department and division leaders, the Treasurer, Assessor, City-County employees, and the public. The role supports utility rate and SID fee allocations, tax billing and property-file maintenance, report balancing for tax purposes, review of commercial and industrial users, preparation of reports, and accurate rate and assessment records. It also drafts resolutions, analyzes property-owner tax appeals (including field work), supports sidewalk assessments, and maintains working knowledge of applicable state and municipal laws and rules. Duties include safe and environmentally sound work practices, compliance with project quality requirements, and ethical conduct. The listed duties are illustrative rather than exhaustive. The position requires a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field, along with considerable experience in utility administration, financial management, statistical analysis, and budget preparation, or an equivalent combination of experience and training. Physical abilities include communicating, reading and entering computer information, operating surveying equipment, inspecting properties across the City-County, and transporting or setting up equipment and materials, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
Considerable experience in utility administration, financial management, statistical analysis, and budget preparation, or an equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Knowledge of the policies, procedures, activities, and operations of the division or department.
Knowledge of Special Improvement District organization and funding within the City-County.
Knowledge of publicly owned utility organization and funding within the City-County.
Knowledge of accounting and finance.
Thorough knowledge of business arithmetic, financial record-keeping, statistics, and English composition and spelling.
Thorough knowledge of Excel, Word, and database applications.
Ability to prepare accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing with the Council of Commissioners, City-County employees, and the public, using technical and non-technical language.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City-County employees and supervisory personnel.
Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications or oral instructions.
Ability to perform administrative, clerical, and technical tasks accurately and quickly under time-sensitive deadlines.
Ability to operate a computer keyboard and surveying equipment, read documents, enter and retrieve computer data, inspect property across the City-County, and transport or set up GPS surveying equipment, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to communicate clearly with employees and the public in person and by telephone, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Good knowledge of construction bids and bid evaluation.

Responsibilities

Assist the Land Systems Administrator with utility rates and SID fee allocations to City-County properties.
Maintain the tax billing system and update property files for utility rates and SID assessment rates, including Landfill & Garbage, Metro Sewer, Stormwater, Water Utility, sidewalks, roads, lighting, fire hydrants, and new services.
Assist the Assessor, Treasurer, and Land Systems Administrator with balancing reports for tax purposes.
Assist in reviewing commercial and industrial users to determine appropriate programs.
Prepare timely reports for the Finance & Budget Office related to utility rates and SID administration.
Maintain accurate records for utility rates and SID assessment rates.
Draft Council of Commissioners resolutions implementing rate increases and SID assessments.
Receive property-owner tax appeals, conduct analyses including field work, and recommend determinations to management.
Maintain working knowledge of the Montana Code Annotated, City-County municipal code, and other rules and laws governing public utilities and SIDs.
Assist Public Works with sidewalk assessments for City-County properties.
Attend meetings, conferences, and workshops as requested and authorized.
Perform related work and other duties as assigned.
Perform work safely and in an environmentally sound manner, comply with the Health & Safety Program, maintain orderly work areas, report unsafe conditions and accidents, use required personal protective equipment, and attend safety-related training and meetings.
Comply with project quality requirements and act responsibly, ethically, and in accordance with accepted business, occupational, and professional standards.