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Inglewood council adopts water and sewer rate increases after heated public comment; 33% of ratepayers protested
Summary
After a presentation by Public Works and a consultant showing a 30% overall water revenue increase is needed to rebuild reserves and fund capital projects, the council adopted water, sewer and recycled water rate adjustments. Public commenters — seniors, renters, cemetery officials and others — opposed the increases and raised equity and transparency concerns; staff said protests totaled about 33% of ratepayers, below the Proposition 218 threshold to block the changes.
The council held a public hearing on proposed adjustments to the city’s water, sewer and recycled water rates to address depleted enterprise reserves, rising costs of imported water and aging infrastructure.
Public Works Director Tony Olmos explained that the city has been drawing from the water fund reserves to cover operating costs and that Metropolitan Water District increases and inflation have raised the cost of imported water. Consultant Steve Gagnon of Raftelis presented the financial plan and recommended revenue increases to restore reserves (a target of roughly $12…
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