Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water And Sewer topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Water department presents $155M budget and warns of sewer rate increases; staff outlines PFAS work and invasive‑species outreach
Summary
City water staff presented a consolidated $155 million package covering river/ag, municipal water and sewer funds, said a sewer rate increase is anticipated per a prior rate study, highlighted PFAS treatment work and infrastructure projects, and described monitoring/outreach efforts to guard the Kern River from invasive golden mussels.
Danny Maldonado, assistant water director, and wastewater staff briefed the council on the water department’s proposed fiscal‑year budget and capital needs.
Maldonado presented an aggregated budget of about $155 million (a roughly 14 percent increase), covering the river and agricultural fund, municipal water fund and the sewer enterprise fund. He said the domestic water budget is expected to rise about 3.42 percent and that the department plans to apply roughly $6 million from fund balance to bridge a revenue–expenditure gap consistent with the council‑approved rate study. Water staff also described new state water regulations requiring immediate investments in conservation and water‑quality compliance.
Wastewater staff said operating and personnel costs are increasing and that capital project timing depends on ratemaking: several projects paused last year were being staged for catch‑up if the recommended sewer rate goes forward. The presentation referenced previous engineering evaluations used to establish a 10‑year CIP and a multi‑year rate plan; staff noted refinancing had reduced debt service and that they were requesting nine new positions to staff treatment plants and inspection workloads.
Staff highlighted two technical accomplishments: a PFAS removal project (CBK 25) and a storage tank upgrade (Stockdale), both intended to enhance drinking water reliability. Council members asked about the invasive golden mussel; staff said the Kern River system remains free of mussels, the city is expanding outreach to boating communities, and Congressman Vince Fong has allocated $5,000,000 for regional response efforts. Staff described monitoring and mitigation learnings from neighboring agencies but said chemical mitigation and outreach are the primary current tools.
Council members also asked about grant and revolving‑loan opportunities for large wastewater projects; staff said grants and low‑cost financing are available but typically require 100 percent design and often provide awards in the $5 million to $10 million range—helpful but not sufficient for multi‑hundred‑million plant upgrades. Staff and council discussed pursuing grants where feasible while planning for rate‑funded capital work.
Staff said they will re‑evaluate capital timing if the recommended rate does not move forward and will return with more detailed design schedules and grant‑application plans.
