UFF Spotlight: Matt Bowman, CPA

Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) provides water services to residents and businesses in the Reno-Sparks Metropolitan Area. They are committed to bringing safe and reliable water to their community. Matt’s office manages the utility’s budgets and seeks to make their work accessible to their clients through three main ways.

Educational Resources:
TMWA offers educational resources for people to better understand their budget process and financial position. They have a Popular Annual Financial Report which breaks down the utility’s costs and revenue structure for members of the community. They offer workshops and open houses for the public to inform their Water Resource Plan and ensure that a maximum of informed public input shapes TMWA’s decisions.

Community Engagement:
TMWA is dedicated to being a part of their community, not just a service to it. They have a social media presence to inform their customers about all aspects of their water, from its cleanliness to where their money goes. They host free tours of their facilities too. Every year, they participate in Reno’s “Smart About Water” Forum, which represents an opportunity to create interpersonal ties with their customers and explain how their utility works. On the financial side, this event is an excellent opportunity to be transparent about TMWA’s revenue generation and costs.

Utility Finance Forum:
The Utility Finance Forum has been an ideal place for Matt and other finance professionals at TMWA to learn from others in similar positions across the United States. They mutually discuss their challenges and opportunities in the utility world, a useful resource for constantly improving the quality of service offered to customers.

Matt’s motto:
“Courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when you don't have the strength.” —Teddy Roosevelt