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Board approves multi-year water and sewer rate increases across several unincorporated districts
Summary
After Proposition 218 notices and limited protests, the Board approved multi-year sewer and water rate increases affecting CSA 29 (North Coast), CSA 39, CSA 34 (El Rio), Waterworks District 16 (Piru), and Camarillo Utility customers; the Board also authorized placing a small number of delinquent service charges on the tax roll.
Paul Chan, director of Water and Sanitation, presented several rate proposals and the updated Urban Water Management Plan. Chan said the county's districts face increased treatment costs (notably a 24.5% increase from the City of Oxnard) and deferred maintenance and loan obligations that require rate adjustments.
Key approved actions included:
- CSA 29 (North Coast/Rincon): five-year increase schedule (18% FY26—27; then 14%, 14%, 14%; and 9%). - CSA 39 (area east of Costco): one-year increase of 15% (one protest received). - CSA 34 (El Rio): one-year increase of 8% (no protests). - Waterworks District 16 (Piru): one-year increase of 19.5% (two protests) with staff noting existing loans and lower customer counts increase per-customer cost pressure. - Camarillo Utility Enterprise: three-year increases of 16% per year for commercial customers (no protests).
Chan said notices were mailed under the Prop 218 process and that the Board's vote follows the statutory process after the public comment period. The Board also authorized the placement of a small number of delinquent water and sewer charges on the county tax roll for collection in Moorpark and Bell Canyon.
Supervisors and staff emphasized continuing to pursue grant funds and to present long-term district financial plans to the Board on August 4 to improve transparency about reserves, loan paydowns and possible mitigation options for low-income or fixed-income customers.
The Board approved the rates and the tax-roll collection action in a single vote.
