Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parlier mayor urges removal of 12% annual service fee in water‑rate study; council asks for legal review
Summary
Mayor Alma Beltran pressed council to remove a 12% annual increase applied to a water-service fee that she said was not authorized under Prop 218/AB 2572; staff agreed to convene legal counsel and consultant and return Aug. 15 with options.
Mayor Alma Beltran sharply criticized a prior water‑rate study on Aug. 1, saying that although the consultant presented a 12% volumetric rate increase, the study also applied a separate 12% annual increase to the fixed monthly service charge. The mayor said that under state law and Assembly Bill 2572 (discussed in the meeting) and Proposition 218 principles the city may not lawfully apply the disputed charge and requested the council remove the administrative/service fee.
Acting City Manager and staff acknowledged the issue and said they had contacted the consultant, Dan, and would consult legal counsel to determine whether the administrative fee can be legally rescinded or must be handled via a separate resolution or amendment. Staff said it could require a new analysis of estimated revenues if the fee is removed. Council directed staff to place the item on the Aug. 15 agenda, invite the consultant to explain the methodology and ask legal counsel to advise on how to proceed consistent with state law.
Background details provided at the meeting included an example of the fixed monthly charge that was $16 and—under the applied schedule—would have escalated by the 12% increments cited in the study to higher amounts over several years; council members and staff noted the original purpose of the study was to fund a TCP filtration project that the city later obtained funding for, which alters the revenue need the study justified.
Next steps: staff will convene legal counsel and the consultant, present options and legal advice at the Aug. 15 council meeting, and the council may consider rescinding or amending the service fee if counsel advises the change is lawful.
