Board recommends $406,994 appropriation of cell‑tower lease revenue to H2O bill‑assistance program

Kevin Buchanan, budget and financial analysis manager for Santa Rosa Water, told the Board of Public Utilities that cell‑tower lease revenue (telecommunications leases on water tanks) generates about $400,000 a year in non‑rate revenue and that $406,993.91 in past receipts remained undesignated in the water administration fund.

Buchanan said the water department uses the revenue to fund the H2O (Help to Others) program, which pays fixed water and sewer fees for qualifying low‑income customers and covers program administration and Sonoma CAN outreach and eligibility verification expenses. He asked the board to recommend the City Council authorize appropriating the undesignated balance to sustain the program through the remainder of the fiscal year.

Board Member Wright moved and Board Member Bartholomew seconded a motion recommending that the City Council appropriate $406,993.91 from fund balance for expenditure in the H2O program. The roll call vote recorded four ayes and two absences; the chair announced the motion passed with four affirmative votes and two board members absent.

Staff said the annual cell‑tower lease revenue will continue to arrive (about $400,000 a year) and that the amount proposed for appropriation represented historic receipts that had not previously been appropriated. If City Council approves the appropriation, staff said the water administration fund undesignated balance would be reduced accordingly.