Rural Utility Business Advisor (RUBA) Program The goal of the RUBA program is to increase the managerial and financial capacity of rural water and wastewater utility providers. The program is advisory only; travel and assistance is at the request of local utility staff. The federal government amended the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) in 1996 to require states to ensure that new systems are viable and there is sufficient local technical, managerial, and financial capacity to operate the water or wastewater system. The capacity criteria, referred to as Operations and Maintenance Best Practices, has been used for determining eligibility and prioritization for community sanitation projects since mid-2015. The RUBA program began in 1994 and offers capacity building assistance to rural utilities throughout the state. The ultimate goal is to ensure sustainable and safe water and wastewater utilities for all Alaskans. Best Practices Dashboard Best Practices Dashboard If you are a interested in the most recent Operations and Maintenance Best Practices score or a timeline of historical scores for a statewide, regional, or community viewpoint. Best Practices Toolkit Best Practices Toolkit If you are interested in a collection of information and resources about Operations and Maintenance Best Practices capacity criteria requirements, templates, and sample documents for optimum scoring. RUBA Assistance: Travel to communities for advice and assistance. Train utility staff, managers, and governing board members. Here is a link to our training schedule. Offer training scholarships for in person classes to help offset travel expenses. Sponsor a QuickBooks Help Line for accounting issues. Collect, analyze, and score documentation from utilities for the managerial and financial capacity criteria in support of the state’s strategy for utility Operations and Maintenance Best Practices. Follow-up assistance to help improve a utility’s score for project funding. Create and disseminate utility related publications. Promote regional partnerships. Having Problems with QuickBooks?Having Problems with Payroll Tax Liabilities? The QuickBooks Help Line is open three days a week by calling (907) 440-0242. Help Line Hours: Monday: 10am to 3pm Tuesday: 10am to 3pm Thursday: 10am to 3pm Do you need Local Government Assistance or Utility Management support? Would you like your Local Government Specialist to contact you? Click here to fill out a short survey and we’ll reach out to you! RUBA Publications: A Plain English Guide to Sanitation Utility Accounting QuickBooks for Sanitation Utilities The Water Rate Calculator Guide Book The Water Rate Calculator Utility Collections Handbook Sign up for our Email List! Click here to sign up for one of our topical list serves. For more information about the RUBA program, contact Theo Graber Division of Community and Regional Affairs Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1650 Anchorage, AK 99501 Phone: (907) 269-8159FAX: (907) 269-4563 e-mail: theo.graber@alaska.gov Revised 02/20/2024