Council forms underground utility district under SCE Rule 20A; staff to return with cost estimate

The City of Santa Paula adopted a resolution on Wednesday creating Underground Utility District No. 1 to pursue Southern California Edison’s Rule 20A program for an undergrounding project along 10th Street.

Director Saulnier told council that the city’s SCE credit balance for Rule 20A projects is approximately $1,109,596 and that the program funds local undergrounding projects using accrued rate‑payer credits. Staff said SCE will prepare a rough order‑of‑magnitude (ROM) cost estimate for the five proposed locations and return to council — likely in December — with estimated construction costs, a comparison to the city’s credit balance, and options to fund any shortfall.

The staff presentation noted that forming a formal UUD triggers Rule 28/Rule 20A scheduling requirements and does not create a special-assessment district; staff said property owners within the UUD would not face assessments, taxes or direct fees as a result of the resolution itself. If the ROM shows costs beyond available credits, staff would return with recommendations on funding sources or, alternatively, propose moving to a Telegraph Road option previously considered.

Why it matters: If funded and designed, the undergrounding project would remove overhead lines along a visible corridor, support downtown beautification and could be coordinated with Caltrans’ planned resurfacing work; the decision to form the district preserves the city’s eligibility to pursue the program before the Rule 20A scheduling deadline in April 2025.