City leaders are beginning the process of setting a new five-year rate schedule for water and wastewater customers, which is set to go into effect in July. Under Proposition 218, utility agencies must conduct rate studies to forecast future expenditures and determine rates to cover rising costs equally.
San Diegans will have many opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback regarding proposed water and wastewater rate increases.
This week, all city water and wastewater customers will receive a Proposition 218 notice in the mail offering information about the proposed rate increases and an upcoming public hearing on Sept. 21. The notice is available in multiple languages online.
A presentation at the Oct. 26 Fallbrook Public Utility District board meeting outlined the process of setting calendar year 2021 rates. The presentation was a nonvoting item, but the FPUD board members expressed no objection to the schedule.
Ramona Municipal Water District board members unanimously approved April 11 to schedule a public hearing to consider raising untreated water pumping rates despite expressed reservations about another RMWD rate increase.
The vote to schedule the Proposition 218 public hearing for 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, was approved 4-0-1, with Secretary Jeff Lawler absent. The scheduled meeting will be held at the Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane.
Proposition 218, the “Right to Vote on Taxes Act,” requires local government agencies to hold a public hearing when rate increases are proposed to be able to consider protests to those rates affected by Proposition 218. The notice for the public hearing with the proposed increases is required to be sent to affected property owners at least 45 days before the public hearing.
The Water News Network is San Diego County’s source for water news and information.
