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La Verne staff propose phased water and sewer increases; public hearing set for Nov. 3
Summary
City staff and consultants said rising wholesale costs and aging infrastructure require phased rate increases that would raise the average single-family combined water and sewer bill from about $152 in 2025 to roughly $186 in 2026; residents were told how to file Prop 218 objections and protests.
La Verne city staff and consultants on a rate study presentation outlined proposed phased increases to water and sewer charges that, if adopted, would take effect Jan. 1, 2026 and be adjusted annually through 2029.
Matt Witturn, a consultant with Rafelis, told attendees the city's water utility has not adjusted rates since 2018 and has been drawing down reserves to cover operating costs. He said about 76% of La Verne's water supply is purchased from regional wholesalers and about 24% comes from local groundwater (Pomona and Live Oak basins). Witturn said wholesale-treated-water costs from the wholesaler have increased by more than 50% since 2018 and that combined inflationary pressures mean steady, responsible rate adjustments are needed to cover operations and capital work.
Joe Vieira, La Verne's deputy public works director, reviewed prioritized capital investments drawn from recent water and sewer master plans: pipeline rehabilitation and relining, an automated meter infrastructure conversion, treatment-plant upgrades, well repairs, SCADA communications upgrades, manhole rehabilitation and portable backup generators for critical pump sites.
The consultants presented financials showing the water system operating cost at about $13.9 million in 2026 with a projected rise to more than $15 million in 2027; sewer operating costs were shown at about $1.8 million in 2026 rising to more than $1.9 million in 2027. They said roughly 51% of each water dollar goes to water production (purchasing and pumping) and about 26% funds capital improvements.
Using sample household usage levels, consultants showed combined water and sewer bills for single-family residences rising from roughly $112/$152/$186 in 2025 (low/average/medium-high use) to about $139/$186/$213 in 2026 under the proposal. Fixed charges would be set by meter size, volumetric charges would vary by pressure zone to reflect pumping costs, and new charges were proposed for private fire-protection connections.
Staff emphasized the formal Proposition 218 process that governs written protests and objections to utility-rate changes. An objection (a legal-compliance challenge) must be received by the city clerk by 4 p.m. Oct. 27, 2025, to preserve rights to later challenge the rates in court, and written protests must be received before the close of the Nov. 3, 2025 public hearing. Staff said if a majority (more than 50%) of property owners file valid protests the council would not be able to adopt the rates.
Residents raised questions during the Q&A about several issues. One attendee, Mr. Bowen, who said he served on the committee reviewing the study, pressed staff on whether revenues raised by the increases would be guaranteed for capital improvement projects rather than used to cover operating shortfalls. Deputy Director Vieira said the new rate structure is intended to allow the utility to both fund operations and invest in CIP work and that staff are developing a publicly viewable CIP tracking spreadsheet to show how projects are scheduled and funded.
Mr. Bowen also presented his own calculation of cumulative increases and said, "putting a burden of doubling their water costs over an 18-month period is inexcusable," and called the projected impact unacceptable. City staff acknowledged residents' concerns and said they would follow up with requested details, including precise meter counts and budget breakout items.
A participant who identified himself as a representative of Golden State Water Company asked whether the proposal would affect Golden State customers; staff replied the city proposal would not change private water service provided by Golden State, but the city's proposed sewer charges would apply where the city bills sewer.
Staff said the rate study and supporting documents (including the full report, sample bill calculator and the city's annual audits) are available on the city website and reminded attendees that webinars like this are one of four community sessions; the public hearing on the council agenda is Nov. 3, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at La Verne City Hall.
The session closed after staff recorded outstanding data requests (contract amount to Rafelis, pension expense treatment questions, and detailed CIP tracking) and said they would follow up with attendees. Staff reported 124 attendees for this information session.
Next procedural step: the city council will consider the proposed rates at the Nov. 3 public hearing; written protests must arrive before the close of that hearing and compliance objections must be filed by Oct. 27, 2025 at 4 p.m. with the city clerk to preserve later legal challenge rights.
