Stacie N. Galang
Residents’ utility bills for water and sewer are on the rise again. At its meeting Tuesday, June 12, the City Council approved hiking rates for water by 7 percent and for sewer by 8 percent, both increases needed to cover costs, city staff said. The average monthly residential water bill will increase by $2.55 to $47.22 or 5.7 percent and the average residential sewer bill will increase by $2.74 to $37.26, the staff report said.
Despite curbing staffing costs in recent years, both the water and wastewater operations are experiencing deficits of a combined $1.7 million in fiscal 2012.
Demand for water has decreased and the cost to purchase outside water from the Municipal Water District of Orange County via the Metropolitan Water District is on the rise, according to a study by Raftelis Financial Consultants. At present, the city is able to cover expenses, in part, by moving funds from its depreciation accounts for capital improvements, which concerned Councilwoman Lori Donchak.
“I’m very comfortable that this is not a risky strategy to contain rate increases for the next couple of years,” said Tom Rendina, municipal services manager.
The study called for rate increases in coming years. Tuesday’s approvals become effective as of August 1.