Angels Camp reviews proposed water, wastewater rate increases and UWPA pass-through language ahead of Feb. 4 hearing

Angels Camp City Council on Jan. 29 held a special workshop on proposed water and wastewater rate adjustments and related capital projects, reviewing a five‑year rate study and discussing language that would allow automatic pass‑through increases tied to wholesale water costs from Utica Water & Power Authority (UWPA). The public hearing on the proposed rates is scheduled for Feb. 4.

The discussion matters because the study sets the maximum annual increases the council may adopt without new notice: staff and consultant Bartle Wells Associates presented a recommendation of up to 3% for water rates, up to 2% for wastewater rates and a 6.22% increase passed through to customers for UWPA charges. The council and staff emphasized those are “up to” amounts and that the council can adopt smaller increases or none in any given year.

Consultant Michael DeGroot of Bartle Wells detailed the Prop. 218 public‑notice process the city followed (45‑day notice mailed Dec. 20), the cost‑of‑service methodology and the capital improvement projects the study anticipates funding. Staff described water projects that the study lists for years 0–5 including a transmission main replacement (identified in discussion as about $2,100,000), a resident neighborhood looping project (about $680,000), capacity upgrades along Murphy’s Grade Road (about $2,300,000), a pressure‑relief valve program (cost estimate shown as $980,000) and an automated meter‑reader rollout. Wastewater 0–5 year projects include replacement and rehabilitation…