About Gull Lake Sewer & Water Authority

About Us

Mission Statement

Gull Lake Sewer & Water Authority (GLSWA) is a public body, funded through user fees and intergovernmental agreements with no taxing authority. The Board of Commissioners is represented by one designated official from each of the supporting townships: Barry Township, Cooper Township, Prairieville Township, Richland Township and Ross Township.

Mission Statement

Gull Lake Sewer & Water Authority (GLSWA) is committed to doing everything within its capacity to provide safe, reliable, and high-quality wastewater and water services while meeting or exceeding all regulatory requirements, acting in fairness to our stakeholders, and dedicated to being collaborative with partners to benefit our authority, and fiscally responsible in our operations.

Strategic Plan Overview

GLSWA employs four main considerations in strategic planning; financial, customer perspective, internal process and development, and learning and education. These factors affect the ability to provide and plan for services, resources, staffing and projects related to public wastewater and water systems. Planning strategic goals improves performance, stimulates forward thinking, clarifies future direction, and builds teamwork and expertise.

Financial:

Demonstrate fiscal responsibility through financial reporting, sustainable growth, and cost sharing programs. Maintain an annual budget to support current operations, investment in preventive maintenance, and capital investment, while retaining $1M in cash assets to self-fund emergency repairs.

Customer Perspective:

Ensure staff is effectively communicating and understanding the organization’s goals and represents GLSWA with the highest customer standards. Provide excellent service through education, quick response time, reliable services, good communication and cooperation.

Internal Process & Development:

Maintain, plan and develop public wastewater and water systems. Employ a capital improvement plan (CIP) utilizing industry standard repair and replacement practices to enhance the service life of the systems.

Learning & Education

Communication and education of stakeholders are important factors in successful utility management. Employ training modules for Board Members and employees for successful implementation of both short-term and long-term goals. Improve communication with stakeholders and the public.

The Strategic Goals, which are continuously reviewed and revised are measured against the key factors.

GLSWA Strategic Goals

#1: Work Order System & CIP

Develop a work order system that incorporates office staff as well as field staff, closing the loop from start to finish in communication, invoicing, payables, and tracking.

#2A: Training Programs

#1: Work Order System & CIP

Board Member Training

Implement annual training for all Board members to review the organizations Mission Statement, Strategic Planning, Role of the Board Members, Fiscal Responsibility Overview, Meeting Decorum & Roberts Rules of Order, By Laws and Noteworthy Rules.

#2B: Training Programs

#1: Work Order System & CIP

#3: Ensure Safe Drinking Water for All

Staff Training

Develop employee success training and succession planning for all positions. Training includes job duties as well as company goals and performance measures.

#3: Ensure Safe Drinking Water for All

#5: Identify Additional Cost Sharing / Inter-Governmental Opportunities

#3: Ensure Safe Drinking Water for All

Work with stakeholders to plan for future water services and/or updated current planning efforts. Define current and future services.

#4: Website Update

#5: Identify Additional Cost Sharing / Inter-Governmental Opportunities

Update and improve the website (glswa.org) to provide educational information, FAQ’s, streamline menus, streamline online payments, improve transparency and make information easier to find.