[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6173887,"mediaKeyId","5377666-da763f2b87a7f7aa710597dff361b1d4","parentId",5377666,"title","Buellton council adopts adjusted water and wastewater rate schedule after public hearing, sets Nov. 1 start","audioSeconds",5903,"startMs",2902000,"endMs",8805000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377666-da763f2b87a7f7aa710597dff361b1d4&start=2902&end=8805","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377666-da763f2b87a7f7aa710597dff361b1d4/thumbnail_2902000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6173887/Buellton-City/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Buellton-council-adopts-adjusted-water-and-wastewater-rate-schedule-after-public-hearing-sets-Nov-1-start","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173887-76a46244507829f9e2f3c6dff353017c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172320&Signature=Z18GVerW-Z-A5Zq62BWGPhhaoCfIkOBPsTDIJgMyKtpFibZHXYd1sNVogp469TOclbzpLE6McVqwUipV1AizSbtT1NARuic6r-YJOfHxYI8THEk66pnHLgwKQsdK26YYSBzVJiuWwCpQRfQkZGlhfNorU~rnYQlrxV5KFmWpvtcxCgcLRO8HOffppVY81f8tylv2S~5lPId47qUKzdUbXqEi6OirTLGpr3mRhfLti7b5BgLTx-u1hP97SM51RmcBfYfwRhNQmHtNk5Hc0lQck2-f9X9uw0sTOrEkE13R2jBcgeG6T8qz8~PaWrYNtoq~SUAIWmidR3ApR7Q86ewMAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Buellton CA","date","2025-07-11T05:06:38Z","article","The Buellton City Council on July 10 adopted a revised five-year schedule of maximum water and wastewater rate increases (Resolution 25-23) after hearing public comment and tallying written protests. The council approved the resolution 3-1, adopting the consultant's alternative 2 schedule as the authorized maximum and setting the initial implementation date for Nov. 1, 2025.

The vote followed a public hearing on proposed monthly meter and wastewater service fees. City staff confirmed the city had received 97 valid written protests by the close of the hearing; that fell well short of the majority threshold needed to block the rate increases (1,084 valid protests required of 2,167 parcels). Vice Mayor Lewis, Council Member Hornick and Mayor Silva voted to approve the amended resolution; Council Member Sanchez voted no.

The city and consultant said the increases are intended to restore enterprise fund solvency, pay for deferred capital work, and meet industry reserve targets. Willdan consultant Chris Fisher presented a five-year financial plan showing the wastewater fund already in deficit and the water fund projected to fall below target reserves within the five-year planning window without rate changes. The capital improvement list included roughly $12.9 million of water projects and about $5.7 million of sewer projects over the next five years.

At the hearing, public commenters — including homeowners, mobile-home park representatives and longtime residents — urged more time to adapt and asked the council to seek grants or loans, to spread increases over a longer period, and to protect fixed-income residents. Several speakers representing Rancho Club Mobile Estates and other mobile-home residents said the proposed changes would be especially hard on seniors and low-income residents and asked the council to preserve the prior additional-unit credit for mobile-home parks. Staff and the consultant said Proposition 218 (the voter-approved rules governing utility rates) constrains rate structures and that prior rate credits lacked a current cost-based justification.

After public comment and a brief recess to accept last-minute written protests, the council adopted the amended resolution. The main changes read into the record and adopted were: to insert the consultant's alternative 2 schedule into Exhibit A as the authorized maximum schedule (attachment 6 to Exhibit A), correct the number of protests received, and set the effective date for the first adjustment to Nov. 1, 2025. Council also directed staff to return with a proposed subsidy/assistance program for income-qualified customers (a CARES-style program) and to present options for the council's annual review of future adjustments during the five-year window.

The formal action (Resolution 25-23, as amended) authorizes five years of maximum rate adjustments and requires council action to adopt each year's actual rate. The consultant and staff noted that alternative 2 phases some increases to reduce the immediate bill shock but projects higher aggregate increases over the longer term; the council accepted that tradeoff when it approved the amendment.

Council members and staff emphasized implementation details would be provided to customers and that staff would pursue available grants and loans but cautioned those sources cannot be relied on to replace rate revenue because of low success rates and the need to repay loans with interest.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution 25-23 (as amended): Approved 3-1. Vote record: Vice Mayor Lewis — Aye; Council Member Hornick — Aye; Council Member Sanchez — No; Mayor Silva — Aye. Outcome: approved. Notes: Exhibit A amended to include consultant's Alternative 2 (attachment 6); first increase set to be effective Nov. 1, 2025; staff directed to return with an income-qualification subsidy plan within ~90 days.

What the next steps look like
Staff and the consultant will provide billing simulations, outreach materials and a draft assistance program for council review before the Nov. 1 implementation date. The council also asked staff to place a recurring check in future agendas so the city stays on a more regular multi-year rate review cycle.

Ending
The council framed the vote as an attempt to balance fiscal responsibility for the city's water and sewer systems with compassion for ratepayers. Staff said it will return with proposed assistance criteria and an implementation plan and will continue to seek outside grant funding where feasible.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Buellton - City Council Meeting of July 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Buellton City Council on July 10 adopted a revised five-year maximum schedule of water and wastewater rate increases (Resolution 25-23) and set the first increase to take effect Nov. 1, 2025, after a public hearing and a 3-1 vote.","taxTitle","Buellton City, Santa Barbara County, California","taxId",72226,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6173874,"New superintendent Adam Bailey introduces himself to Buellton council",103,587000,690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377666-da763f2b87a7f7aa710597dff361b1d4&start=587&end=690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377666-da763f2b87a7f7aa710597dff361b1d4/thumbnail_587000.jpg","/articles/6173874/Buellton-City/Santa-Barbara-County/California/New-superintendent-Adam-Bailey-introduces-himself-to-Buellton-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173874-c70b890e6b80f0c6bb15f11f296bb1a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172320&Signature=NAQ3TFxI2LTEVUM1LhKZL67jwVZ313Fvl48el4nRKhzo1geUaJ7pZP2-zMsTor1YAACqjyGXA9sHuPc1VUG3ghUhUT8c656Ngz6SD4C-OMn8FolkiazY3xkuGPTBUc01zm23oGbaBciQqtq1oBU8yXSsDm~DD5vQG3wTiuzrQIw-nmBq0Q8WsmIeRDIJijPxeSWi9U878DIUUWhyuqMUHlhuf5VblSf-ABpaC4Dr7ZT-UhWhYCcPD1BqD7aO82K11XjBVFERtPWatJwku9k7HN3EN4xq1LEaOfkJSZba4tXfhYXV0PEfuesqJbBPABWL5oKqU4x~G3aQF5gOUAaakA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Adam Bailey, introduced at the July 10 meeting during public comment, said he is joining the district as superintendent and pledged to build a close working relationship with Buellton City staff and elected officials.

Bailey told the council he has more than 30 years in education as a teacher, high-school principal and county administrator. He thanked city staff in recreation and parks for orientation assistance and said he looked forward to collaborating on shared-use events and services for students and families. He said teachers at the district's two schools would return in August and that the first day of school for students at Haneda and Oak Valley schools is planned for Aug. 13.

The council welcomed Bailey to the community; there was no formal action connected to the introduction.","Adam Bailey, introduced as the new superintendent at the Field Union School District, spoke at public comment to express intent to strengthen district-city cooperation and noted the first day for teachers and students in August.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6173879,"Buellton council approves consent calendar, releases security for Central Avenue duplexes and ADUs",198,698000,896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377666-da763f2b87a7f7aa710597dff361b1d4&start=698&end=896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377666-da763f2b87a7f7aa710597dff361b1d4/thumbnail_698000.jpg","/articles/6173879/Buellton-City/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Buellton-council-approves-consent-calendar-releases-security-for-Central-Avenue-duplexes-and-ADUs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173879-8fe23004d2b15e46c773cc4dda5534f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172320&Signature=hjRLKajfT0NbNogANREyT2qwTLB1t8GqIPvnqqHE0ScrHiP~pVpTUxZ2QiQhjADVpQn5TtPChecTyEl0xlQCJmwfNX054Z7uFhSjIJv5vgvK4nt2Ss7hvFOP7uPcGF2-Tmyk-9-vEm4GZHnhYSiL8GZSfsxHY8l7gpM1oFB5vTXSMqUZSG-SZUmEqa4SLSf2NP0Th0QwsU-W2Bn5HmL7GIels~0j55vQIGWIk7VQi9M7mRnljixoF3kQ5vFfv5jhtvmPA6-admoE-bpKokpCoMBoHDY4aNP6jOdbVgZ47vQ68HMNPo1UhD6gKkLJi1CP92li6S94IZeb1oFFthWZhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Buellton City Council approved its consent calendar on July 10, including minutes from its June 26 meeting and the list of claims for the fiscal year. Council also approved a security reduction release related to a two-lot project at 43440 Central Avenue that will result in six total living units (each lot: a duplex with an accessory dwelling unit).

Public Works Director Rose Hess told the council the project had received planning, engineering and building approvals and that zoning clearance was the applicable ministerial entitlement (no development plan was required). The council asked whether the project had been posted on the city's Build In Engage page; staff said ministerial zoning clearances are generally not posted because they are not discretionary.

Council members asked clarifying questions about the number of units (staff confirmed six total units across two lots) and then approved the security reduction release. The items on the consent calendar were approved by unanimous roll call.

Ending
Minutes and claims were ratified and the council moved on to presentations; no further action was requested on the Central Avenue project.","Council approved the June 26 minutes, claims, and a security reduction release for the duplex/ADU project at 43440 Central Avenue. Item 3 (security reduction) was discussed briefly and approved unanimously.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6173884,"Central Coast Community Energy briefs Buellton council on batteries, EV incentives and local programs",993,941000,1934000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377666-da763f2b87a7f7aa710597dff361b1d4&start=941&end=1934","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377666-da763f2b87a7f7aa710597dff361b1d4/thumbnail_941000.jpg","/articles/6173884/Buellton-City/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Central-Coast-Community-Energy-briefs-Buellton-council-on-batteries-EV-incentives-and-local-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173884-a601562473f4a6819f4496be83835eea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172320&Signature=Xbomq7rjlg7oIYBcAxtcQ8bDQ~62ctn2wDiP-wiN-sbGGdT2N-4xy4c9A3mI1~HAjNLPGKJVG252FJ-9k48bMYb-qaD1mEMI733mVqmJOztmviq6986l2gXq0opoDQcDJUipLyireEkf1AcotLkJAjHe7xv3cVCjGmX7ZNUPbJl6XnxlIioFO254h1tlYhqEkcEiNi4nH-JOijAqCZNw7Yw1i9opnducfAquQ-4T~dhCtpRBm4AS05Q5Q4on6u7zFuoRrTmGSfihD3dyruEUvIwfuAgcGLUEy6xbqy9Q0VX-PfR3~QPDxzcyifBgiiBy58v~qsQG~rnXbzbcAw3Q9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) provided a multi-topic briefing to the Buellton City Council on July 10, describing procurement, battery storage, and customer incentive programs available to local residents, agencies and businesses.

Doss Williams, a 3CE official and former state legislator, told the council that 3CE purchases electricity for member communities while PG&E and Southern California Edison continue to manage transmission and distribution. He said 3CE served roughly 1.2 million customers and secured contracts to make about 64% of its electricity load renewable by October 2028.

A major portion of the presentation covered battery energy storage. Williams said 3CE requires contracted battery storage projects to use containerized systems with individual fire suppression and to meet current fire and building codes; he cited industry-wide reliability improvements and a drop in failure rates since 2018. He also described a compressed-air storage project planned in Kern County that would yield about 200 megawatts for 3CE customers.

Williams outlined customer programs that the city and residents could access: rebates and incentives for electric vehicles (Electrify Ride: $1,000 to $4,000), residential appliance electrification (heat pump water heaters), home batteries, and targeted support for agricultural electrification, as well as fleet planning and electric bus grants. He urged the council and residents to consider purchases that could take advantage of federal incentives that are scheduled to expire or change. In particular, he said federal EV tax credits (up to $7,500 for new EVs and $4,000 for used EVs) must be used by Sept. 30 to be obtained as a point-of-sale benefit, and that the federal 30% tax credit for home energy efficiency measures will end at year-end.

Council members asked clarifying questions about net energy metering (NEM), regional markets, and differences between utility-scale oversupply and individual rooftop solar compensation. Williams said California's NEM changes (NEM 3) reduce payback on rooftop solar unless paired with storage, and 3CE supports customers who choose solar-plus-storage systems. He said 3CE is working on legislative and regional-market initiatives aimed at lowering long-term costs.

Staff noted that 3CE can supply technical assistance to cities developing local reach codes and directed the council to 3CE's customer-facing programs and resources. The council did not take formal action on any ordinance or contract during the presentation; the briefing was received and filed.

Ending
Council members thanked the 3CE representatives and asked staff to follow up on municipal program opportunities, including fleet electrification guidance and potential grant support.
","Representatives from Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) updated Buellton council on regional clean-energy procurement, battery storage safety and customer programs, and urged the city to apply for electrification incentives before some federal credits expire Sept. 30.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Buellton council adopts adjusted water and wastewater rate schedule after public hearing, sets Nov. 1 start

New superintendent Adam Bailey introduces himself to Buellton council

Buellton council approves consent calendar, releases security for Central Avenue duplexes and ADUs

Central Coast Community Energy briefs Buellton council on batteries, EV incentives and local programs