City officials are proposing increases to Seal Beach water and sewer rates.
Thirteen people signed in at the Thursday, Jan. 18, open house outreach for the proposed water and sewer rate increases. It is probable that some people who attended the event did not sign in. District One Council Member Joe Kalmick said a lot of folks did come. An exact count isn’t possible because people move around at open house events.
Because people were moving about, it was not possible to count heads. Council members Joe Kalmick, Tom Moore, Lisa Landau, and Schelly Sustarsic were present.
There was a slide presentation that repeated across a view screen as visitors and officials stood around various tables and photos mounted on tables and tripods. Refreshments were available.
This is the last water and sewer-related event that to be held before the Monday, Feb. 12 public hearing at the City Council. Staff has recommended the hearing continue to the Feb. 26 council meeting to provide the public with more time to comment, according to a recent city letter to the public signed by Public Works Director Lee.
If the council approves the rates, the new rates will go into effect in April 2024.
If more than 50% of parcel owners submit written protests to the city before Feb. 12, the council will not approve the rate changes. If fewer than 50% of parcel owners submit written protests, the council will approve the rate increases. Protests may be submitted in person or by written mail addressed to Seal Beach City Clerk, 211 Eighth St., Seal Beach, CA. 90740.
“Oral comments at the public hearing will not be counted in the determination of a majority protest,” according to a Proposition 218 Notice from the city of Seal Beach to the community.
There is a 120-day statute of limitations for challenging rate changes in court, according to the Prop. 218 notice.
Why?
City officials say the fee increases are needed to meet costs and to continue to provide services. Resident Hope Horning disagreed during the public comment part of the Jan. 22 City Council meeting. (Water and sewer rates were not on the Jan. 22 agenda.)
“Water and sewer rate increases usually are necessitated when general funds begin to subsidize water and sewer operations,” Horning said, reading from a prepared statement. (She provided the Sun with a copy.)
“That is not the case with the city of Seal Beach,” she said.
“Specifically, over one day a week, the salaries of the city manager, assistant city manager, and two manager analysts, come from water and sewer service,” Horning said.
She said water and sewer rates were being used to subsidize 25 to 35% of the largest city salaries.
Horning brought up the issue of potential deficits in Seal Beach. (See “Are deficits in the city’s future?” at sunnews.org.)
Horning suggested the city consider letting city positions go unfilled until the economy turns around.
She also called on the council to evaluate the city. manager and do exit interviews with departing city employees.
How much?
Rates will change based on tiers of service, volume of water, size of the meters, and fixed rates will also change.
Here are a few examples of changes to fixed rates:
• 6 inch meters, Leisure World are currently $616.21 a month. The proposed monthly water rate increase would be to $819.56 starting April 1, 2024; $1,024.45 starting Jan. 1, 2025; $1,198.61 starting Jan. 1, 2026; $1,342.44 starting Jan. 1, 2027; and $1,476.68 starting Jan. 1, 2028.
• 5/8 of an inch meter customers have a current fixed five-year monthly water rate of $24.25 a month. The proposed monthly water rate increase would be $32.25 starting April 1, 2024; $40.32 starting Ja. 1, 2025; $47.17 starting Jan. 1, 2026; $52.83 starting Jan. 1, 2027; $58.11 starting Jan. 1, 2028.
Sewer rates
• The single family residence fixed rate is $24.02 a month. The proposed monthly sewer rate increase would be to $32.43 starting April 1, 2024; $40.21 starting Jan. 1, 2025; $47.85, starting Jan. 1, 2026; $54.07, starting Jan. 1, 2027, and $57.85 starting Jan. 1, 2028.
• The multi-family residential rate is currently 61 cents a month. The proposed monthly increase would be to 82 cents starting April 1, 2024; $1.02 starting Jan. 1, 2025; $$1.22 starting Jan. 1, 2026; $1.37 starting Jan. 1, 2027; and $1.47 starting Jan. 1, 2028.
• The commercial rate is currently 61 cents. The proposed monthly increase would be the same as the multi-family residential rates shown in the bullet point before this one.
• The Leisure World fixed charge is currently 61 cents. The proposed monthly increase would be the same as the multi-family rate.
