County staff presented proposals and the Board of Supervisors approved rate increases and related actions for three Ventura County Water Works districts on Dec. 20, 2025.

Mr. Palmer, County staff, told the board the Water and Sanitation Division represents 11 sewer and water districts and that two districts already benefited from a $19,000,000 grant approved on the consent calendar. He said wholesale supplier increases — described in the record as about 7.5% — plus higher power and labor costs and required infrastructure upgrades have led staff to propose targeted rate changes.

For Ventura County Water Works District 1 (Moorpark), Mr. Palmer said the district has about 9,900 connections and that staff received 17 protests under the Proposition 218 notice. "We're asking for a 10% rate increase to accommodate the [wholesale] 7.5% increase plus power and labor costs," Mr. Palmer said. The board discussed affordability concerns, with a member noting some customers are on fixed incomes and that at least one household reported cutting back on water use because of hardship.

For District 17 (Bell Canyon), Mr. Palmer said the district is entirely served by the wholesale supplier, has roughly 720 connections and that staff received two protests. He said the wholesaler’s rate increase was transcribed at about 7.52% and staff proposed a 9.5% increase for Bell Canyon to cover the added wholesale, labor and power costs while also accounting for fire-hardening needs.

For District 38 (Lake Sherwood), Mr. Palmer said there are approximately 756 connections and that the district submitted zero protests. Because District 38 has a relatively high reserve account, staff recommended a 4% increase and a plan to use reserves over roughly three years to absorb part of the wholesale cost increase while keeping immediate rate pressure lower. Mr. Palmer said the district’s Citizens Advisory Committee supported that approach.

Board members praised Public Works for pursuing state funding to offset costs. Supervisor Gerell commended the department for aggressively seeking funds from drinking water state revolving funds and bond measures such as Proposition 1 and Proposition 4. Procedural motions to approve staff recommendations on the items passed unanimously at the time they were called.

Next steps: the resolutions adopt rate and meter service charge increases effective Jan. 1, 2026, and provide for delinquency collection methods including liens and placing charges on the county tax roll unless a majority of affected customers file successful written protests under Proposition 218.