Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Salinas council adopts sewer rate increase and approves 15% sewer-bill assistance program
Summary
Facing a downgraded sewer fund outlook, the council approved a rate adjustment and a new customer assistance program. The rate adoption survived a protest period; council also approved a limited assistance program for low‑income households tied to CARE eligibility.
The Salinas City Council on Sept. 23 approved a sanitary sewer rate schedule intended to shore up a strained sewer fund and to meet reserve and capital needs, and approved a new sewer bill assistance program targeted at low‑income customers.
Background and why the increase
City staff and consultants reported that the sewer fund has been underfunded for years and that the city’s bond rating outlook had recently been downgraded to a negative watch because the fund was in breach risk of its rate covenant. Staff said the adjustment is necessary to fund operations, maintenance, capital improvements, and to restore reserves; failing to act could increase borrowing costs and raise the risk of lenders calling bonds.
Public notices and protest count
Pursuant to Proposition 218 and AB 2257…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
