Camarillo plans public engagement for upcoming utility rate changes

The Camarillo City Council meeting on March 12, 2025, focused on enhancing public engagement regarding upcoming changes to utility rates for water and sewer services. City officials emphasized the importance of transparent communication as these changes will significantly impact residents and businesses.

To facilitate community involvement, the city plans to host two informational open houses on April 8 and April 26. These sessions will provide residents with opportunities to ask questions and discuss concerns directly with city staff and experts. In addition to these events, the city has conducted five utility committee meetings and will hold public hearings, all open to the public.

The city is implementing a multi-faceted outreach strategy to ensure residents are informed. This includes sending out a "save the date" postcard to all customers, bilingual public notices, and utility bill messages alerting customers to the upcoming rate changes. Furthermore, the city is developing a dedicated webpage featuring FAQs, explainer videos in both English and Spanish, and a bill calculator to help residents estimate their new utility bills based on the proposed rates.

The proposed rate adjustments are governed by California's Proposition 218, which mandates that utility rates must reflect the actual cost of providing services. This law ensures that funds collected cannot exceed service costs and that customers are charged fairly based on their usage. The city will mail notices of planned rate adjustments 45 days prior to a mandatory public hearing, allowing residents to voice their opinions.

The council is expected to authorize the mailing of these notices at their next meeting on March 26. The city aims to ensure that all residents understand the rationale behind the rate changes and feel empowered to participate in the decision-making process. For more information, residents can visit the city’s website at cityofcamarillo.org/utilityrates.