HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-CONS~1Agenda Item # 8
ACTION
To:
Board of Directors
From:
Robert Mescher
Date:
November 06, 2013
Subject: Consideration of:
a) Accepting the Water Rate Study Report
b) A Draft Ordinance Setting the Water Rates
c) Setting a Public Hearing Date Regarding Water Rates
1. WHY THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE BOARD
Board action is required to accept the rate study report, set water rates, and set a date for a
public hearing.
2. HISTORY
Proposition 218 was adopted in 1996 and became effective in 1997. It is also known
as the "Right to Vote on Taxes Act."
The adoption of new water rates is subject to the requirements of Proposition 218. The
main requirements are:
• Rates must be based on actual cost of service;
• District must mail a notice to all rate payers and may mail a notice to property
owners of the proposed change in rates;
• District must hold a public hearing at least 45 days after the mailing of the
notices;
• Rates can be set up to five years in advance;
• Proposed change in rates is considered rejected if written protests are received
from a majority of the affected property owners; or
• Rates can become effective 30 days after the public hearing and adoption of an
ordinance.
The District's water rates have not been increased since FY11.
3. NEW INFORMATION
The proposed FY14 and FY15 Budget and the ten-year Financial Master Plan require
water revenue to increase by 3% in FY14 and 3% in FY15 to achieve the District's
short-term and long-term goals.
Therefore the following schedule has been developed for implementation of new rates
in FY14 and FY15:
November 6
• Present an updated water rate study
• Approve the water rate increase subject to a public hearing
November 30 (or before)
• Mail notices to customers and parcel owners of proposed rates and of public
hearing
• Advertise in local newspaper of proposed rates and of public hearing
January 15
• Hold a public hearing regarding proposed water rates
• Adopt an ordinance for the new water rates
February 15 (or after)
• New rates can become effective
The District hired HDR to conduct a water rate study. HDR has completed the Water
Rate Study Report (Attachment 1) and Shawn Koorn will present the Water Rate
Study (Attachment 1) and discuss several rate structure options to achieve the 3%
revenue increase.
Attachment 2 is a proposed ordinance to increase the water rates "across the board"
by 3% for FY14 and FY15.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact of accepting the the HDR Water Rate Study Report.
Adopting an ordinance to raise the water rates will increase revenue annually by 3% to
achieve the District's short-term and long-term goals.
The cost of advertising and mailing the required notices of the public hearing will cost
about $10,000.
5. RECOMMENDATION
1) Accept the HDR Water Rate Study Report.
2) Accept the proposed draft of the water rate ordinance.
3) Set January 15, 2014 as the date of the public hearing regarding water rates.
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Robert Mescher
Administrative Services Manager
Michael D. Holley
General Manager