Camarillo adopts multi‑year water and sewer rate increases to fund aging infrastructure

The Camarillo City Council and the Camarillo Sanitary District board on May 14 adopted proposed multi‑year increases to water, airport water and sewer rates after a joint public hearing and a series of council deliberations.

Consultant Kevin Kostick of Raftelis told the council the process is governed by Proposition 218 and that rate proposals must not exceed the cost of providing service. He summarized drivers for the increases: reduced water demand following wet years, rising operating costs (electricity, chemicals, personnel), and a multiyear capital program that includes additional local wells, a pump station and major upgrades to the Water Reclamation Plant, originally constructed in 1957. “Primarily, rates can't exceed the cost of providing service,” Kostick said.

A typical single‑family residential bill used as an example — a 3/4‑inch meter using 12 billing units — would rise from about $136 to roughly $163 under the proposal, a monthly increase of about $27, the consultant said. Staff reported final written protest tallies before the vote: 200 written protests for city water, 0 for airport water and 223 for sewer; those totals did not meet the majority‑protest threshold.

Public comment was strongly opposed to the scale and timing of the hikes. Residents described difficulty affording other increases and raised the cumulative effect of multi‑year adjustments. Denise Rebar, who identified herself as a retired teacher on a fixed income, asked, “I don't know anybody who gets an 81% raise over 3 years.” Multiple speakers urged the council to explore alternatives including bonds, federal and state loan programs (including WIFIA and state revolving funds), property‑tax assessments or restructuring the proposed percentage increases over a longer timeline.

Council members said they took the public comments seriously but explained the constraints that require rate revenue. Council member Tremblay focused on the wastewater plant’s condition, saying, “The wastewater treatment plant is a deteriorated asset, and it's rapidly reaching the end of its useful life.” He and other members said adequate, predictable revenue is needed so the city can borrow (issue bonds or take loans) under market terms and meet bond covenants; underwriters typically require coverage margins on pledged utility revenue.

Staff described the legal and procedural context. Notices under Proposition 218 were mailed to affected parcels; AB 2257 (effective Jan. 1, 2025) requires agencies to respond in writing to substantive objections submitted by property owners. Staff also described an outreach program that included two public open houses, five utilities‑committee meetings, information on the city website (English and Spanish), and mailed postcards.

The council approved three separate motions adopting staff recommendations: city water rates, airport water rates, and sanitary district sewer rates. Each motion passed on unanimous roll‑call votes (Council members Martinez Bravo, Santangelo, Tremblay, Vice Mayor Tennyson and Mayor Kildee all voted yes). Staff will finalize ordinance language and proceed with implementation steps described in the rate study.

What this means: The city will use the authorized rate revenues, combined with planned borrowing and grant‑seeking, to fund near‑term projects and position the utility and sanitary district to meet underwriting and regulatory requirements. Staff and council members said they will continue to pursue grants and alternative funding and to provide public information about timing and the program of projects.