The Watsonville City Council will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 5:30 p.m to consider recommended adjustments to water, sewer, and garbage collection service rates.
Public Hearing on Proposed Rate Adjustments for City Utility Services – Water, Sanitary Sewer and Solid Waste
The Watsonville City Council will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 5:30 p.m to consider recommended adjustments to water, sewer, and garbage collection service rates.
These rate changes are necessary to pay for ongoing operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of the existing infrastructure.
The goal is to:
- Fully fund operations and maintenance costs;
- Establish sufficient reserves, as recommended by industry standards, for the financial stability of the three enterprise utilities and for unanticipated costs such as equipment failures, new mandates, or natural disasters;
- Support necessary capital improvement projects to keep the systems in good operating condition.
If adopted, the proposed new rates will take effect July 1, 2021, with annual increases each July 1, up to and including July 1, 2025. This notice also describes how to file a protest to this proposed action. All property owners, tenants directly liable for the payment of water, sewer, and refuse service fees, and other interested parties are invited to attend the public hearing and be heard on the matter.
The public hearing will be held by the City Council of the City of Watsonville, on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at the 5:30 p.m. session. The public may participate through https://cityofwatsonville-org.zoomgov.com/j/1604661504 or iPhone one-tap US: 16692545252,,1604661504# or +16692161590,,1604661504# or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 669 254 5252 or +1 669 216 1590 or +1 646 828 7666 Webinar ID: 160 466 1504. However depending on COVID-19 tiers which may allow for indoor gatherings, the meeting may take place in the City Council Chambers, 275 Main Street, 4th Floor (6th Level Parking—Entrance off Rodriguez Street) Watsonville, California, to consider:
Proposed Rate Adjustments for City Utility Services – Water, Sanitary Sewer and Solid Waste
The City Council will hear and consider all testimony as well as all protests against the proposed rate increases. At the close of the public hearing, the City Council may adopt the new rates if protests against the proposed increases are not presented by a majority of identified accounts upon which the rates are to be charged (a “majority protest”).
A valid protest must contain:
A description of the property (such as address) that is sufficient to identify the property.
Written evidence that signer(s) is/are the customer of record for the account (provide copy of utility bill)
Only one protest per account will be counted.
Written protests shall be mailed or delivered in person to: City Clerk, City of Watsonville, 275 Main Street, Suite 400, Watsonville, CA 95076.
If a majority of utility customers file written protests, the proposed rate changes will not be put into place. City Utility Customers may submit comments in writing by email to citycouncil@cityofwatsonville.org or by regular mail to City Clerk, City of Watsonville, 275 Main Street, Suite 400, Watsonville, CA 95076.
A notice was sent to City Utility customers by the City of Watsonville pursuant to California Constitution Article XIIID (also known as “Proposition 218”). If you have any questions regarding the notice, please call (831) 768-3100 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m Monday through Friday.
You can also find the notice here.