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Water Authority Seeks Public Input on 2024 Rate Increase and Two-Year Budget

The San Diego County Water Authority has asked for public input over the next two months as it drafts a new two-year budget and sets rates to cover the cost of water-reliability projects that keep San Diego immune from drought.

Agency staff has recommended a $1.85 billion budget for the two-year period beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2025.

That represents a 5% increase, but the 2024 rate increase is tentatively set at 14%, though efforts are underway to lower that.

Carlsbad Proposing Water Rate Increase, Cites Rising Costs

The Carlsbad City Council approved a water-rate increase proposal over three years during its Nov. 3 meeting. The city, which operates the Carlsbad Municipal Water District (CMWD) and handles water, wastewater and recycled water, will hold a public hearing on Jan. 11, 2022, before voting on final approval.

Water Utilities Pin Hopes on WRDA Bill During Coronavirus Pandemic

The Senate and House will negotiate soon on robust legislation for water infrastructure projects, which is especially critical for water and wastewater facilities during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter sent to Republican and Democratic congressional infrastructure leadership on Monday, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies urged that the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 authorize strong funding for the public water sector.

California Supreme Court Says No Go to Referendum Challenges to Certain State Laws

Once a local water board approves a rate increase, voters cannot prevent it from taking effect by circulating a referendum, though they can seek to reduce it later, the state Supreme Court ruled Monday.

Utility Bills Will Likely Increase by 10% On Average in Big Cities This Summer

With millions of Americans still at home, about 1 in 3 people nationwide are expected to see their utility bills go up by at least 10% this summer.

Helix Water District Passes 2020-21 Budget

With no increase to ratepayers for the foreseeable future, the Helix Water District’s governing board passed the district’s fiscal year 2020-21 budget earlier this month.

This year’s budget of $80.1 million is only slightly above last year, which was $79.5 million.

Sweetwater Authority Board Approves $64M Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-21, No Rate Increase

The Sweetwater Authority Governing Board approved the budget for fiscal year 2020-21 at its June 24, 2020 meeting. The budget does not increase water rates for customers and reflects more than $13M in reductions over last fiscal year. To achieve these savings, the Board worked closely with Authority staff to produce a balanced budget that minimizes the financial impact to customers.

CVWD Approves $376 Million Budget, No Rate Increases

The Coachella Valley Water District’s board of directors on Tuesday voted to approve a  $376 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1. The budget notably will not include rate increases even though CVWD — which has a service area of roughly 1,000 square miles and includes about 108,000 homes and businesses — had planned to implement one this year. The new math comes after the water district ripped up its previously proposed budget in May due to the economic slowdown caused by the response to the coronavirus.

FPUD Approves 2020 Rates

The Fallbrook Public Utility District approved FPUD rates and other charges for calendar year 2020.

FPUD’s board vote 4-0, Dec. 9, with Don McDougal absent, adopted the 2020 rates and charges for water, recycled water and wastewater delivery and services. Water and wastewater rates will increase by 8% while the increase for recycled water will be 4.5%.