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Council approves second-year water and wastewater rate increase as part of five-year plan
Summary
After a staff review showing revenues below some projections and wastewater expenditures above projections, the council approved the second-year implementation of a previously adopted five-year water and wastewater rate schedule, effective July 1, 2026.
Buellton’s City Council voted to implement year two of a five-year water and wastewater rate plan, effective July 1, 2026, following a staff review of year-one results.
Rose H., the city’s public works director, told the council the five-year program remains the guiding plan but that actual revenues for the current year came in below the study projections while wastewater expenditures exceeded revenues in part because of additional repairs and maintenance. "Staff is still recommending council move forward with implementation of the rates as adopted last year," Rose H. said on the record, noting the phased increases were designed to rebuild reserves over time.
Council members asked for clarity on the figures and staff explained that, while water service revenues exceeded expenditures in the year reviewed, the wastewater fund experienced lower revenues and higher expenditures, which drew from reserves. Staff reminded council that the five-year schedule phases increases to spread impact and that even meeting original projections would not eliminate the need for phased rate increases to reach targeted reserve levels.
On a roll-call vote the council approved the implementation of the second-year rate adjustments as previously adopted. Staff will continue to monitor fund balances and include rate forecasts in ongoing budget discussions.
