Water Authority Expected To Take New Vote This Month

The Suisun Solano Water Authority has yet to determine whether they will approve a water rate increase proposal for ratepayers for the next two years. The board will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 20 and have a continuation of talks on the proposal.

“By and large, any other comments that (board members) make
that relate to crafting the budget next year, certainly we would take that to
heart. We’ll just see what happens,” said Mark Joseph, Financial Services
manager.

SSWA was after holding a hearing for ratepayers to either protest or get more information on the new rates. The increase would average 4 percent in 2012 and another 4 percent in 2013 for residential and nonresidential ratepayers.

The board, consisting of both City Council members and Solano Irrigation District members, needed to vote in the rate increase by at least three votes from members of both groups. A vote was reached against the increase, but was not counted as an official vote because the public hearing was never officially closed.

All members of the SID voted for the rate increase, but City Council members Mike Hudson and Mike Segala voted against, citing concerns over
conservation levels within the plan and the change in non-residential rates,
respectively. All members of SSWA were present at the meeting except Vice Mayor Jane Day.

“…Because there was a missing person and because the board continued the meeting until the 20th, there is an opportunity to vote again, this time with all 10 members, and now it will be resolved one way or the other,” Joseph said.

Joseph said concerns like those are expected to be addressed and discussed during the next meeting. SSWA members will most likely make a vote over the rate proposals in the upcoming meeting, though members are
not required to approve an increase for the full amount the proposal suggests.

“The board can approve anything up to four percent…that’s something
that could be considered,” he said.

If board members do not approve an increase in rates, there is risk that water treatment facilities and other capitol projects would not receive enough funding to make needed repairs, Joseph said. The last rate increase was in 2008.

In keeping with meeting requirements, announcements of the meeting will be posted in public. Since the same proposal will be discussed, letters won't be sent out again to notify ratepayers of the meeting.

"We encourage anyone who wants to show up and listen or express their concerns or protest,” Joseph said.

The new meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m.