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Stanton Council Hears Willdan Study; One‑Time Sewer Capacity Charge Proposed
Summary
Consultant Willdan presented a sewer capacity fee study recommending a one‑time developer charge (example: $487 for a 5/8" meter equivalent) to allocate past infrastructure costs and fund capital improvements; council was asked to set a Proposition 218 public hearing on sewer rates for June 10 to begin required noticing.
Stanton — Willdan Financial Services presented results of a sewer capacity charge study and a five‑year sewer rate analysis March 25, recommending a new one‑time capacity charge to ensure new development pays a proportionate share of existing sewer system capacity.
Chris Fisher of Willdan told the council the capacity charge is a cost‑based mechanism developed consistent with the Mitigation Fee Act. "New customers connecting to the system require system capacity," he said, and the charge is intended to reimburse the city for prior infrastructure investments or fund necessary upgrades. As an example, Willdan proposed a 5/8‑inch meter fee of $487 per equivalent residential unit; fees would scale upward for larger meters using standard hydraulic equivalencies.
Staff and consultant emphasized the capacity charge is separate from the city’s connection fee (the connection fee covers physical connection and inspection) and is a one‑time payment collected at permitting or at meter installation. The resolution accompanying the study would allow staff to index the fee annually to a construction cost index beginning July 1, 2026.
On the ongoing rate side, Willdan presented a five‑year financial plan to ensure sewer rate revenue covers operations, maintenance, reserves, and capital projects identified in the recently approved sewer master plan. Staff said the last rate study dated to 2017 and the master plan update was completed last July.
Council asked procedural questions about appeals and whether accessory dwelling units (ADUs) would be subject to the new charge. Staff answered that the capacity fee applies when a new meter is required and that there is no separate appeal process for the fee; payment is a condition of obtaining the additional capacity or connection.
Staff asked the council to set a public hearing under Proposition 218 to consider rate changes and to authorize noticing; staff proposed a hearing date of June 10 to meet noticing requirements. The council discussion did not record a final adoption vote on the sewer capacity charge or rate changes in the provided transcript; staff’s next step is to mail Proposition 218 notices should the council direct that path.
Quote (consultant): "The objective of this study was to calculate a fee based on cost based analysis that would be charged to new customers," Chris Fisher said. Quote (staff): "If the council approves the adoption of the resolution, the resolution does include just like our master fee schedule... authorize staff to increase this fee by the construction cost index," staff said.
Next steps: staff will proceed with Proposition 218 noticing and return to council for a public hearing on sewer rates if the council moves forward with the recommended schedule.
