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Vista council adopts multi-year sewer rate increases to fund treatment and capital projects
Summary
After a staff presentation and public comment about fairness and low‑income rebates, the council unanimously adopted three-year sewer rate adjustments to fund capacity improvements and Encina wastewater treatment costs; a lifeline rebate will be available for qualifying low-income households.
City staff recommended and the council approved a three-year schedule of sewer service charge increases to address capital needs identified in the 2025 sewer master plan and rising treatment costs at the Encina Wastewater Authority.
Sewer Engineering Division Manager Ken Natz and consultant Sanjay Gar explained the cost-of-service methodology used, the projected CIP needs (more than $50 million for Vista over the planning horizon), and a proposed 5.5% revenue increase for Vista to meet reserve targets. Staff also described customer outreach, bilingual notices and a lifeline rebate program that would offer up to a 30% rebate for qualifying low-income customers.
During public comment several residents objected to a per-parcel charge structure that makes single-family home bills larger than some multifamily bills, arguing this is unfair to single occupants. Staff and council explained the technical basis (household occupancy averages, irrigation not routed to sanitary sewer) and noted alternatives such as per-water-use meters can shift burdens and have their own costs and inequities. The council moved, seconded and unanimously adopted the rates after finding written protests were below the Prop 218 threshold required to block the increase.
The council also asked staff to monitor lifeline rebate uptake and report back if more assistance mechanisms are needed. The ordinance adopting the rates was enacted by unanimous vote.
