El Cajon council adopts annual sewer charges report; three parcels granted adjustments

The El Cajon City Council unanimously adopted the annual sewer charges report on July 8 and approved assessments for collection on the county tax roll, including three parcel adjustments listed in Appendix C.

Blake Behringer, associate engineer with wastewater and engineering services, told the council the city has used the same methodology for calculating sewer charges for about two decades and that rates remain unchanged from the past two years. He said revenue for the program is "about the same as last year" and that reserve levels are sufficient to support planned capital improvements and unplanned emergency projects.

Behringer noted the city is updating its sewer master plan to reassess system capacity and prioritize current and future capital improvement projects; he cited last year's emergency work at the Graves I-eight crossing as an example of unplanned capital needs the reserves must cover. Staff recommended the council adopt the report and approve the assessments, forwarding them to the county auditor with the Appendix C adjustments.

There were no public speakers on the item. A council member moved to close the public hearing; another council member moved adoption of the report and a separate council member seconded. The motion to adopt the report passed unanimously.

Staff did not propose a rate change and said pass-through costs remain available if needed. Behringer said staff is available to answer follow-up questions as the sewer master plan update proceeds.