Concerned Shareholders Club

The Concerned Shareholders Club meets monthly on the fourth Thursday at 1 p.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 2. The next meeting will be July 24 with guest speaker GRF Interim Executive Director Dave Potter. All are welcome to attend.

In addition to regular meetings, the “All Hands” meeting include members of Concerned Shareholders Club, The Where We Live Club, the LW Uncensored Facebook group, and all other shareholders to join. The next meeting will be on Monday, Aug. 4, in Clubhouse 3, Room 2, at 6 p.m.

At the last meeting, Ben Wong from the Seal Beach City Council spoke to the club about the upcoming Seal Beach water and sewer rate increases. The Seal Beach City Council is fast-tracking a 104% increase to the city’s water and sewer bill starting this August, with annual hikes through 2029.

Now, residents are being asked to cover the cost. A new proposed third scenario, developed with homeowner input, shows exactly why the Council should reject the current proposal. The current plan includes the following changes:

•Utility bills will rise Aug. 1, with new increases every July 1 for the next five years

• Capital projects funded by the rate increase and debt funding

•Four total charges that include fixed plus usage fees for both water and sewer The city needs a 20% debt coverage ratio help to qualify for loans as one of the primary reasons to raise rates, as well as fund capital projects and build reserves. Without the increase, the city will not be able to borrow for the capital projects starting the new fiscal year 2026.

The Concerned Shareholders Club encourages residents to urge their Mutual Boards to act now and email a protest letter to the City by July 14 deadline. People can also urge their city council representatives, Nathan Steele and Ben Wong to vote against the proposal. To learn more about the proposal, go to www.utilityratestudy.sealbeachca.gov/ All shareholders are welcome to attend the meetings.

—Wendi Rosenblatt