AgdaPkt 2012-05-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.4.A. - Page 3 7. Increase recycled irrigation water consumption rates on July 1, 2012 as follows: Rate Tiers Existing Proposed Cost per Unit Cost per Unit 0-100% of consumption* $4.27 $4.78 (*Recycled water customers will continue to receive a 25% discount on water charges.) The proposed increase in water rates places Redwood City below the average and only 2% above the median, in a benchmarking study of neighboring water suppliers. The benchmarking study is comprised of nineteen other agencies and their existing water rates for FY 2011/12; note that the study does not take into account these agencies' pending rate increases for the 2012/13 fiscal year. This recommendation supports the guiding principle of basic service charge equal to fixed costs. It places Redwood City's as the 11 th most cost-effective water agency when compared to nineteen other agencies. It continues to allow individual users to conserve and save money. It is consistent with the principle "the more you use, the more you pay." COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT On March 20, 2012, and in accordance with the Proposition 218 notification requirements, more than 27,000 written notices of proposed increases in water rates for FY 2012/13 were mailed to current property owners and rate-paying customers on record, together with information regarding the date, time, and location of a May 7, 2012 public hearing. Additionally, staff engaged and educated the community regarding the rate increase via the following: � A newsletter mailed to all water customers that explained the need for a rate increase and the rate protest process; it included the date, time, and location of a community meeting and public hearing. • An informational webpage that explains the need for a rate increase and the rate protest process; it also includes the date, time, and location of a community meeting and public hearing. • Four informational notices to the community via the Redwood City e-news list (about 4,000 email addresses) that explained the need for a rate increase and the rate protest process; it included the date, time, and location of a community meeting and public hearing. • Three display ads in the Daily News with information about the rate increase along with the date, time, and location of the community meeting. • A community meeting that provided an in-depth overview of why rates are increasing and information about the rate protest process. • Two news releases and an op-ed piece on the rate increase, with information about the rate protest process.