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Ceres Council orders updated water, wastewater rate study as public warns of big bills ahead
Summary
The Ceres City Council approved a service agreement for an updated water and wastewater rate study and staff said connection fees and rates are overdue for review. Residents warned future wastewater projects could push household utility bills much higher and asked for careful outreach under Prop 218 rules.
The Ceres City Council on Feb. 10 voted to move forward with a consultant to update the city’s water and wastewater rate study, a step staff said is necessary after years without a comprehensive review.
City engineer Mr. Beltran told the council that rate studies “are done every three to five years” to smooth increases and reflect operational and capital costs. He said the city has not kept up with annual adjustments to connection charges and provided approximate current figures, saying the connection fee is about $6,800 for water and about $6,000 for sewer.
The decision clears the way for a Prop 218 process that will include public hearings and an evening workshop so residents can review proposals and ask questions, staff said. The consultant will also guide the city through the required notification and adoption steps.
Residents urged caution and more outreach. Public commenter John Warren said the city’s total utility bill already can top $200 per month for some users and warned that a new wastewater treatment plant could push total bills higher: “When we get done building this new wastewater treatment plant our total utility bill is going to be over $500,” he said.
Council members pressed staff on who should absorb future infrastructure costs. Council Member James Casey said he did not want existing residents to “front the money for the 10,000 new homes” expected in nearby growth areas and asked staff to clarify how new development and connection fees will fund major plant upgrades.
Staff and the consultant will return with an analysis and a schedule for Prop 218 notifications, hearings and any recommended rate adjustments. The contract and the public outreach plan were approved as part of the consent calendar.
Next steps: staff will bring the consultant’s recommendations and a public outreach schedule back to council for review prior to any formal rate adoption.
