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Arcata council adopts five‑year water and wastewater rate schedule after public hearing
Summary
After a Proposition 218 public hearing and staff presentation, the Arcata City Council adopted Resolution 256‑52 approving five years of water and wastewater rates; staff said the first water‑portion adjustment averages about 23% but the typical combined customer bill will rise modestly in year one and by roughly 39% over five years absent other funding changes.
The Arcata City Council on April 15 adopted Resolution 256‑52 after a public hearing that completed the Proposition 218 process for a five‑year schedule of water and wastewater rate adjustments.
Assistant City Manager and Finance Director Tabitha Miller told the council that written notices and the statutory Proposition 218 process were followed, and that the adopted rates establish maximums the city may implement over fiscal years 2025‑26 through 2029‑30. Miller said the proposed water portion of the rates averages about a 23% increase where applied, but that when combined with wastewater and the structure of the utility bill the typical residential account’s first‑year total increase was estimated at about 3.6 percent. Miller also said that, over five years, the combined bill would rise by approximately 39% — “about $53” on average — if the full schedule is implemented as proposed.
Miller emphasized that the adopted schedule sets a maximum and that the council may later reduce or skip increases if revenues, grants, or other circumstances allow. She also noted the city’s outreach while initiating the Proposition 218 process and explained how property owners may file written protests; staff reported protest counts to the council during the hearing.
The city clerk tabulated written protests and reported the total as fewer than the number required for a majority protest: 37 protests submitted prior to initiating the 218 process and 31 received during the hearing period as of the meeting’s tabulation. With no majority protest, the council voted to adopt the resolution.
Council members asked about affordability programs and protections for low‑income customers. Miller said the city had investigated options similar to PG&E’s CARE program; staff estimated that if about 50% of residential customers qualified and the city adopted a 10% discount for qualifying accounts, the program could cost roughly $550,000 per year and the city would need to identify a funding source (late fees, general fund, or outside grants). She said the city will continue to explore targeted assistance and noted prior state and federal programs had in the past helped households but were not currently available to offset shortfalls.
The council adopted the rate resolution on a unanimous voice vote. Vice Mayor Stacy Atkins‑Salazar made the motion to adopt; Council Member Stillman seconded. The ordinance and affected fees will be implemented through billing system updates and the annual fee schedule, with initial implementation dates described during the hearing.
