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Camarillo staff outlines proposed water and sewer rate increases; public workshops and Prop. 218 notice scheduled
Summary
City staff and consultant presented preliminary results of the water and sewer rate study, proposing multi‑year rate adjustments to fund rising operating costs and anticipated capital projects; no rate decisions were made—council set a timeline for Prop. 218 notices, workshops and public hearings leading to a possible July 1 effective date.
City staff and the rate consultant presented preliminary findings Feb. 26 for a multi‑year water and sewer rate update, proposing increases to cover rising operating costs, purchased water and several planned capital projects.
Assistant Finance Director Pam Townsend and consultant representatives summarized five years of historical operating and capital costs and projected needs. Townsend noted the study began in fall 2024 and that the council would see the proposal multiple times: March 12, March 26 (authorization to mail Proposition 218 notices), public outreach events in April, a public hearing May 14 and a second reading May 28, with proposed rates effective July 1 if adopted.
Staff described drivers of the proposed increases: higher purchased water costs, increased electricity and chemical costs associated with the desalter, falling water demand driven by rainfall and conservation, and large future capital projects for the wastewater treatment plant. The presentation proposed changing the practice from biennial to four‑year rate schedules to provide long‑term revenue certainty for debt financing and capital work.
Examples presented: the average residential water bill under the proposal would rise from about $62 to $77 per month (roughly $15); the average sewer bill would increase from about $74 to $86 per month (about $11.89); combined average monthly bills for a typical customer would move from roughly $136 to $163 (about $26.79). Staff emphasized these were preliminary, model‑driven estimates and that neighbors’ final positions could shift as other agencies complete their own rate studies.
Councilmembers and the vice mayor praised the outreach plan and urged balanced, phased rate adjustments to avoid larger sudden spikes later. No formal action was taken; staff will return with Prop. 218 authorization on March 26 and continue community engagement.
