Scotts Valley homes and businesses connected to city sewer lines face bigger waste treatment fees for three years beginning Sept.1, totaling 52 percent over three years.
The only thing that could block the increase would be protest letters from more than half of all wastewater customers received before Wednesday, Aug. 16.
Rate-increase letters were mailed to city residents and businesses beginning June 28, with an enclosed protest form as required by state law.
Scotts Valley wastewater customers, one per address, also can filed protests at ci******@sc**********.org using the form.
Under the proposed rate increase, a single-family residence would see monthly bills rise from $30.57 a month to $46.49 by 2019-20. That also is the monthly minimum fee for commercial and industrial customers, who also pay additional charges per 100 gallons of water.
The first year increase, if formally adopted on Aug.16, would be 15 percent, with similar 15 percent increases in each of the following two years, effective Sept. 1, 2017.
The council considered, but rejected a staff recommendation to increase waste treatment rates 25 percent per year for three years, then 14 percent and 10 percent, respectively, in a fourth and fifth year.
Commercial customers will receive direct billing, with rates retroactive to July 1, 2017.
Mobile-home residents pay slightly less, and the city provides 10-12 percent discounts for low-income home owners.
The city contracted with Berkeley-based Bartle Wells Associates in March to prepare a wastewater increase model.
In this year’s annual budget, City Manager Jenny Haruyama said without increases in wastewater fees, there would be an ongoing structural deficit in the wastewater enterprise funds of more than $1 million by fiscal year 2020/2021. All reserves would be depleted by next year without the increase, she said.
The City Council adopted the new rate structure at its June 21 meeting, a 45-day comment period began, leading up to an informational meeting and final vote scheduled for 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 16 in the council chambers.
The city cannot amend its proposed rate structure at the upcoming meeting, but customers may attend to gain a further understanding of the need for the increase.
In the letter to residents and business owners, the city said the rate increases are needed to pay for operating costs and capital improvements, such as replacement of aging equipment and wastewater upgrades.
