Rate studies
Water rates are set by the board after a rate study and a Proposition 218 process: a mailed notice to property owners, a public hearing at least 45 days later, and a vote. These are the rate study documents on file, with what the minutes record.
2026: LT Municipal Consultants (in progress)
The board awarded the rate study contract to LT Municipal Consultants on Feb. 11, 2026. A capital improvement list for the study, dated June 10, was sent to the board on June 11, according to the July 8 minutes (on the Reports and handouts page). LT presented the proposed study on Sept. 9; it was discussed at a Sept. 30 special meeting and was on the Oct. 7 agenda. The presentation is the study document on file.
The Sept. 9 minutes describe the recommendation as “a $200,000 annual water rate increase for the next 5 years, which is about a 3% increase per year.” LT’s presentation shows these proposed changes on Jan. 1, 2027, followed by about 9.5% a year through 2031:
| Customer type | Current monthly rate | Proposed Jan. 1, 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single family, up to 5,000 sq. ft. lot | $31.59 | $36.16 | +14.5% |
| Single family, 5,001 to 7,000 sq. ft. | $33.73 | $39.84 | +18.1% |
| Single family, 7,001 to 11,000 sq. ft. | $35.99 | $42.60 | +18.4% |
| Single family, 11,001 to 17,000 sq. ft. | $38.84 | $47.20 | +21.5% |
| Single family, over 17,000 sq. ft. | $48.20 | $52.72 | +9.4% |
| Multi-family, per unit | $24.05 | $28.80 | +19.8% |
| Metered, 3/4 inch and 1 inch | $27.48 | $28.80 | +4.8% |
| Metered, 2 inch | $87.94 | $89.50 | +1.8% |
Rates are from the presentation slides; percentages are calculated from them. Multi-family rates also include a charge per 1,000 square feet of lot size ($4.07 now, $4.60 proposed). Metered customers also pay a volume charge: $0.84 per hundred cubic feet now, $0.92 proposed. The presentation lists other meter sizes.
LT Municipal Consultants, proposed water rate study presentation (Sept. 9, 2026)
2021: Bartle Wells Associates
The board accepted Bartle Wells’ proposal on Sept. 1, 2020. A draft was presented Apr. 6, 2021 and sent back for revision using lot size. After a public hearing on June 29, 2021 (3 written protests; 5 residents spoke) the board adopted the water rate increase, 4-0.
District staff provided the two documents below as the background for the 2021 rates. The tables are marked as a draft; the presentation does not name its author.
2012: Blomberg & Griffin Accountancy Corporation
The Comprehensive Water Rate Study of March 2012 covers the district’s revenue requirement, cost of service and a rate plan, including a proposed monthly meter service charge of $8.50 for 5/8-inch and 3/4-inch meters (more for larger meters). The copy provided ends at page 47; the exhibits the report refers to (pages 48 to 123) are not included.
Comprehensive Water Rate Study (March 2012)
The 2012 study was provided as a scan; text recognition has been added so it can be searched.