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URAC weighs messaging and outreach as city prepares to propose water, wastewater rate increases
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Summary
The Utilities Rate Advisory Commission reviewed draft messaging and outreach options for a proposed multi-year water and wastewater rate adjustment, heard calls for plain-language affordability examples and neighborhood equity, and was told final rates and fact sheets will be presented in June.
The Utilities Rate Advisory Commission on Wednesday discussed outreach plans and core messages the city will use to explain a proposed multi-year water and wastewater rate adjustment that staff says is needed to shore up aging infrastructure and address an operating shortfall.
David Levine, Long Range Financial Planning Manager for the Department of Utilities, told the commission the outreach work will support “the rate adjustments needed to ensure continued financial viability and address the most critical operational, administrative, and capital needs in the water and wastewater funds.” He said Department of Utilities staff and consultants have identified nearly 200 community groups to engage through targeted outreach and two-way conversations.
Samantha Villegas, a communications and public outreach consultant with Raftelis, listed the case the city plans to make to residents: aging pipes and treatment systems, the cost of delay compared with emergency repairs, rising prices for materials and labor since the last rate change, stricter state and federal standards, and the need to improve resilience ahead of droughts. “We're going to ask for a needed multi-year rate adjustment during an election year,” Villegas said, noting that plain-language messages and existing community channels will be used to reach people.
Commissioners gave pointed feedback on what language will resonate. Commissioner Shambhay said highlighting resilience and ‘‘protecting future generations’’ could help, and urged removing references to ‘‘strict regulations’’ that might read to some residents as an extra tax. Commissioner Steinbaum urged the city to include a simple average-bill example so residents can see how a proposed change would affect a typical monthly statement. Commissioner Rogers recommended emphasizing local jobs tied to construction—“union men and women in Sacramento, their wallets, their bank accounts are gonna be getting filled”—as a messaging angle.
Vice Chair Nelson cited a FlashVote survey of roughly 400 respondents and said the preliminary results show nearly 60% of respondents would support an increase “if it was, you know, justified and backed up with a third party,” calling public education an opportunity to raise support.
Staff told commissioners they will not release outreach materials before the rate numbers are finalized. The Department of Utilities and its consultant plan to return in June with the cost-of-service results and a set of fact sheets, infographics and bill-comparison materials for public distribution. “Once June hits, we'll give you the numbers, we'll give you the fact sheets, all the info you need, and we'll be working together to get the word out,” said Dolly Fuddle, Director of Utilities.
Commissioners also discussed how they might help: suggested roles included neighborhood road-show presentations, ambassador pairings at community events, social media posts or brief videos, guest editorials and meetings with council members. The city attorney reminded commissioners that any small working group must comply with public-meeting rules; staff recommended individual commissioners either call their council members or use an agendized letter so no unposted group meetings occur.
On rate design, commissioners debated front-loading larger initial increases versus smaller, more frequent adjustments. Staff said larger upfront adjustments can be necessary because revenue compounds over time and the utility is facing immediate fiscal pressure; David Levine said the Water Fund faces “a $38,000,000 deficit in FY26,” which is a primary reason for earlier revenue needs. Business Services Division Manager Ryan Pham described the prior rate cycle and audits that contributed to the current eight-year interval since the last water-rate adjustment in 2020.
Public commenter Viet Long Nguyen, a Sacramento resident, urged linking infrastructure upgrades to climate adaptation, asked why increases were not smoothed over prior years, and stressed concerns about fairness in how rate increases would affect different income levels.
Next steps: staff and Raftelis will refine messages based on the commission's feedback and return with the finalized rate proposals and outreach materials at the June URAC meeting so commissioners can begin community engagement in July. The commission approved the consent calendar earlier in the meeting by voice vote.
