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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8A, Water Rate StudyAction Item # 8 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 November 6, 2013 Background / History • Water rates have not increased since January 2011 — Recommended water rate increase for FY12 & FY13 was declined — Compounded inflation since 2009 is over 11% 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 campoundIed Water Rate Increase 0.00% 1. 75% 1.75% 0.00% 0.00% 3. 53% I nfIation 2.71% 1.50% 2. 6% 1.74% 2.00% 11.40% 2 Background / History • FY14 & FY15 Budget — Modest 3% water rate increase needed in FY14 & FY15 — Must follow Prop 218 — Board authorized HDR to perform rate and cost of service study — Shawn Koorn of HDR will present results tonight — Monthly $5 water meter surcharge ends 12/31 /2013 (-7.5%) — Overall 4.5% decrease in FY14 3 Background / History • California's Proposition 218 — Adopted in 1996 — Effective 1997 — "Right to Vote for Taxes Act" — Courts ruled that Prop 218 includes water utility rate changes 0 Background / History • Prop 218 Requirements — Rates must be based on actual cost of service — Notice must be mailed to all rate payers — Notice may be mailed to all property owners — Public hearing must be held after 45 days of notice — If majority of rate payers protest, then rates are rejected — Rates can become effective 30 days after public hearing 5 Shawn Koorn of HDR a Next Steps • November 30 (or before) — Mail notices of public hearing to customers and property owners — Begin advertising public hearing in local newspaper • January 15 — Hold a public hearing regarding proposed water rates — Consider adopting ordinance for new water rates • February 14 — Adopted water rates can become effective — Effective for utility bills printed after March 15 7 Fiscal Impact • There is no direct fiscal impact of accepting 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 — Draft ordinance included in Board packet uses Alternative 1 - "3% across the board" for both residential and commercial customers • The cost of advertising and mailing the Prop 218 required notices of the public hearing will cost about $10,000 Recommendation • Accept the HDR Water Rate Study Report • Accept the proposed draft of the water rate ordinance • Set January 15, 2014 as the date of the public hearing regarding water rates „ , �- „. �� � i '�i° �,, �;;,' ,�� ; Effect of Water Rate Changes and Meter Surcharge Average Meter Residential $ 6 1 w A $ n ` ' 'MrAr 1, . 41 3% $ 2. $0. $ 2. 2 4% $62.62 $0.00 $62.62 r % $63.22 $0.00 $63.22 11