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Council hears explanation of 'Propuesta 18' process for proposed water and wastewater rate changes
Summary
City staff explained mailed‑notice and public‑hearing requirements for proposed water and wastewater rate increases under the referenced 'Propuesta 18,' and councilmembers discussed infrastructure needs that could justify new revenue.
City staff summarized the procedural steps the council must follow to propose water and wastewater rate increases under the referenced "Propuesta 18," explaining mailed notices to property owners, a public hearing, opportunities for written protests and a threshold process for counting protests that could halt and force a restart of the proposal.
"El proceso exige que el ayuntamiento envíe notificaciones por correo a todos los propietarios y les brinde la oportunidad de informarse sobre las tarifas propuestas," the staff presenter told the council, adding that owners may submit written objections and that the city must tabulate how many protests were filed. The presenter described a 50 percent protest threshold such that if enough affected property owners protest, the process would stop and the city would need to start again.
Council discussion framed the proposed increases as a response to several years of rising costs and deferred maintenance. A councilmember said the increases are intended to support major projects, including improvements to two treatment plants, and to preserve credit rating strength so the city can finance large‑scale infrastructure work.
The transcript records council members and staff emphasizing the importance of public notice and the formal protest tabulation; the meeting did not include a final council vote on rates at this session.
