The Seal Beach water and sewer rate hearing is scheduled to start at the Monday, Feb. 12, City Council meeting and continue on Monday, Feb. 26. As many of you may know, the council cannot increase the rates if the city government receives written protests from more than 50% of parcel owners.
Seal Beach officials say the rate increases are needed to keep up with the costs of providing water and sewer services. Some members of the public question the necessity.
Exactly how many protests meet the 50% plus one mark?
According to an email from Assistant City Manager Patrick Gallegos that was sent to District Four Council Member/Mayor Schelly Sustarsic and the rest of the council on Jan. 26: “We are looking at over 2,500 written protests from record property owners to reach (50%+1).”
At least one council member wanted a more a precise number.
The Sun recently requested the number.
Gallegos emailed the Sun a reply on Thursday, Feb. 1:
“Per your request, below is the threshold breakdown for Prop 218 for water and sewer.
“For water, the majority protest is 2,523.
“For sewer, the majority protest is 2,347.”
In a Feb. 2 text message, District One Council Member Joe Kalmick confirmed those numbers.
If the city receives that many written protests, the council can’t raise the rates.
If the city does not receive that many written protests, the council will consider raising the water and sewer rates. A consultant has recommended the city increase the rates. An unsigned city government press release issued on Dec. 15, 2023, said that the increases were needed to keep up with inflation and rising costs. According to the press release, state law allows the money to only be used for the water and sewer rates.
