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Camarillo council authorizes Prop. 218 notices to begin water and sewer rate process
Summary
The city council voted unanimously to authorize mailing Proposition 218 notices that start the public-protest period for proposed water and sewer rate increases, with a public hearing set for May 14 and rates targeted to take effect July 1.
The Camarillo City Council on March 26 authorized staff to begin the Proposition 218 public-notice process that will lead to formal consideration of new water and sewer rates.
The action, made during a joint session of the council and the Camarillo Sanitary District, authorizes mailing the Prop. 218 notices to property owners and tenants, starts the 45-day protest period and sets a public hearing for May 14. If the council adopts the ordinance after the hearing and second reading, the new rates are planned to take effect July 1.
“This item tonight is an authorization to begin the proposition 2 18 process,” said Pam Townsend, assistant finance director, summarizing the staff presentation. Townsend told the council the rate study began in fall 2024 and has included five utility committee meetings and two previous council reviews.
Townsend and staff told council members the proposed increases respond to four factors: available cash on hand, anticipated revenues, rising operational expenditures and planned capital projects. On the water side, staff cited rising purchased-water costs, reduced water demand (which lowers revenues) and multiple capital projects plus dwindling cash reserves. For sewer, staff said the primary driver is significant anticipated capital investments, with some rising operational costs as well.
Townsend outlined the schedule the council approved: staff will mail Prop. 218 notices on March 28; informational open houses are scheduled April 8 and April 26 (at the library and council chambers); the public hearing is May 14; second reading of the implementing ordinance is set for May 28; and an effective date of July 1 is targeted if the council adopts new rates.
Council members debated the proposal briefly and asked no additional questions during the meeting. One council member said while they were not a fan of any rate increases, they believed staff had provided adequate public-notice and outreach and that reliable water and sewer service requires sustainable funding. A motion to authorize the notices passed unanimously (5–0).
The Prop. 218 process requires mailed notices to affected property owners and tenants, a public protest period and a public hearing before any new rates may be adopted; the council’s action authorizes staff to begin that legally required public-notice step.
If and when the council adopts the rates after the May hearing, staff said they will return with an ordinance for adoption and implementation details.
