REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Action on Resolutions Approving Water, Sewer and Recycled Water Rates to be Effective July 1, 2020 [Council Pillar: Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure] Not to be heard prior to 6:00 PM
Report
BACKGROUND
In November 1996, California voters approved Proposition 218, which amended the state Constitution to establish a new category of fees and charges referred to as "property-related fees and charges" and created new procedural requirements for their adoption. Under these requirements, water, sewer, and solid waste service fees or charges are subject to a written notice of proposed increases, public hearing on proposed fees or charges not less than 45 days after the mailing of the notice, and majority protest procedure for their approval. At the public hearing, all protests against the proposed fees or charges are tabulated and if protests are presented by a majority of owners (50% plus 1), the fees or charges cannot be imposed. If there is not a majority of owners protesting the proposed fees or charges, Council can make and act on a motion to approve increases.
The City updates the rates it charges Santa Clara residents and businesses for water, sewer and recycled water services on an annual basis. Each of these three utilities is self-sustaining and rates are adopted to pay for revenue requirements associated with operations and maintenance (O&M) costs, capital improvement program (CIP) projects and the funding of reserves associated with the respective utility systems.
Staff is seeking approval of the attached resolutions. Attachment 1 assigns water and recycled water rates to be effective July 1, 2020 and Attachment 2 assigns sewer rates to be effective July 1, 2020.
For the last two years, the Water & Sewer Utilities Department engaged Black & Veatch Management Consulting, LLC (Black & Veatch) to conduct an ongoing study of water, sewer and recycled water rates charg...
Click here for full text