“It’s safe to say that wastewater rates are going to go up significantly in the next few years,” mirroring other cities that are raising rates to keep operations in line with state and federal wastewater requirements.The wastewater rate increase will bring an additional $497,000 in revenues to the enterprise next year.Bobkiewicz said refuse rates are not going to see any changes as Santa Paula’s rates are “among the highest in the county, so no rate increase is being sought.”Santa Paula will become a landlord to itself: Bobkiewicz told the council that the city’s aging wastewater treatment plant and the central water treatment facility are on property owned by the General Fund. Market rate will now be charged for the property to be paid to the city from the enterprise funds to the tune of $183,348 a year.The city will also stop paying for water, sewer and refuse services, a savings of about $55,000 annually.
Wastewater increase proposed, refuse costs already high
June 24, 2003
Santa Paula City Council
Santa Paulans won’t be seeing increases in water or the already high costly trash service, but wastewater charges will be increased to help shoulder the cost for the new treatment plant. The plant is on its way to being a joint venture of Santa Paula and Fillmore.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesSanta Paulans won’t be seeing increases in water or the already high costly trash service, but wastewater charges will be increased to help shoulder the cost for the new treatment plant. The plant is on its way to being a joint venture of Santa Paula and Fillmore.City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz told the City Council at the June 9th budget workshop that “water is in fairly good shape” with a $2.3 million fund balance.“There will not be any changes in water rates at this time but it will be studied,” and a price increase could be recommended to the council later this year or early 2004, he noted.Wastewater charges are going to be increased by 18 percent, Bobkiewicz added.In November 2001 the City Council approved a 30 percent rate increase structure over two-and-a-half years. According to Bobkiewicz, staff believes that the 10 percent increase approved in 2001 for the 2003-04 fiscal year is insufficient and is proposing the 18 percent increase.
