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City Council adopts water rate increases, expands low‑income assistance program
Summary
After a public hearing and 3,690 mailed Prop 218 notices, the council approved a 5.5% water rate increase for fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27 and renamed and expanded the low‑income assistance program from 15% to 20%. Council recorded 369 validated written protests—insufficient to block the increase—and approved the rates 5–0.
The San Luis Obispo City Council on June 17 adopted new water service rates that raise rates by 5.5% in fiscal year 2025–26 and another 5.5% in 2026–27, following a public hearing and outreach that included a Prop 218 mailed notice and translated materials.
Utilities staff said the increases are driven by regulatory compliance costs, rising capital project needs (including storm recovery projects), inflation and the city’s pay‑as‑you‑go approach to minimizing debt. The council also adopted an amendment to the city’s low‑income assistance program—renaming it the Customer Assistance Program and increasing the discount from 15% to 20%—funded from late‑fee revenues permitted under Prop 218.
Utilities Director Aaron Floyd and Utilities Business Manager Julie Ridgeway reviewed the Prop 218 outreach: 20,565 notices were mailed to property owners and account…
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