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Vacaville council opens Proposition 218 process on water and sewer rate changes; public hearing set for May
Summary
City staff and consultants presented a five-year water and wastewater plan and the council authorized initiation of the Proposition 218 process, including mailed notices and a May public hearing; the plan would raise combined bimonthly bills gradually to finance capital, operations and chromium‑6 treatment projects.
Vacaville City Council members on March 11 authorized staff to begin the Proposition 218 public-notice process for proposed increases to water and wastewater rates, following a presentation by Willdan Financial Services and city utilities staff.
The study presented a five-year financial plan that shows both utilities operating at deficits under current rates, while capital needs include an estimated $96 million for water projects and $58 million for sewer projects. A sizable portion of the water capital plan — roughly $36 million — is associated with Chromium‑6 compliance work, staff said.
Chris Fisher of Willdan summarized the analysis and recommended a phased rate increase to restore reserve levels, meet debt service coverage and fund the capital program. For a typical bimonthly residential customer (about 2,400 cubic feet of use), Willdan's proposed combined water-and-sewer bill would rise from an existing $210 to an estimated $275 on the first year of the plan, with additional smaller increases over the subsequent four years.
Council voted to set a Proposition 218 schedule that includes mailing notices to property owners and customers by March 27 and holding a public hearing on May 13. Staff said the notice timeline is necessary to satisfy the 45-day advance notice requirement under Proposition 218; the hearing will include a formal opportunity for written protest. If a majority of affected property owners submit written protests, the proposed rate changes cannot move forward.
City staff told the council the proposed rate path aims to reach a policy target of about 180 days of operating reserves for water and to meet debt service coverage targets for both utilities. Willdan noted that Vacaville's existing combined bill for an average user remains below many regional comparators even after the proposed increases.
Ending: Staff will mail the Proposition 218 notices by the late‑March deadline, hold the May 13 public hearing and report protest totals at the hearing; if protests do not constitute a majority the council will have discretion whether to adopt a rate ordinance.
