The Ukiah Valley Water Authority is considering a water rate increase for all city of Ukiah residents that would raise rates by 3% as soon as March.
The Ukiah City Council is responsible for reviewing and approving the water rates, but it does so in conjunction with the Ukiah Valley Water Authority, a joint powers authority comprised of the city of Ukiah, the Millview County Water District, the Redwood Valley County Water District, the Willow County Water District, and the Calpella County Water District.
At a Ukiah City Council meeting on Oct. 15, council members received recommendations and feedback from Mark Hildebrand, an outside consultant and owner of Hildebrand Consulting, a company that assisted in planning the proposed rate schedule.
According to a presentation by Hildebrand at the meeting, the proposed rate would increase water usage rates for Ukiah residents by 3% starting in March and continue to rise on a set schedule through July 2029.
Hildebrand noted that the proposed increase for Ukiah residents would be smaller than the sharp increases expected in other districts, such as Millview and Redwood Valley.
“Unfortunately, we do have different news for the other member agencies, which have different financial situations,” Hildebrand said. “We are going to be proposing pretty significant rate increases to those agencies.”
Under California law, city of Ukiah residents will undergo a protest period where they can submit formal protest notices to the city if they disagree with the proposed rate hike. If more than 50% of Ukiah property owners submit a written protest, either by mail or at a public hearing, the rate increase cannot be approved.
Sean White, director of water and sewer for the city of Ukiah, said in an interview that water rate increases are usually reviewed every five years and help the city recover financially from infrastructure replacement and other costs. He also said that starting increases now will prevent larger hikes in the future.
“Small increases most years prevent a big increase if you postpone things,” White stated.
During Hildebrand’s presentation, it was revealed that the proposed rate hike schedule will be proposed to the Ukiah Valley Water Authority Executive Committee this month. Notices and protest forms will likely be sent out to Ukiah residents in mid-November.
A public hearing to hear from Ukiah residents is expected to take place in February, according to Hildebrand’s presentation.
Once public notices are sent out, residents will have until the end of the public hearing to submit their forms to the city.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Nov. 19 at 5:15 p.m. at the Ukiah Civic Center at 300 Seminary Ave. Residents can also participate virtually via a Zoom link at the top of the agenda when it becomes available. Public comments can be emailed to cityclerk@cityofukiah.com or called in at (707) 463-6217. Meeting agendas can be found at cityofukiah.com/meetings.
This story originally appeared in The Mendocino Voice.