Seal Beach City Council delays vote on water and sewer rates

by Emma DiMaggio

Communications Manager

At a July 14 public hearing, the Seal Beach City Council voted to delay its decision on whether to increase the city’s water and sewer rates. Council members are expected to cast their votes on the rate hikes at an Aug. 11 meeting, where they will continue the hearing. Ratepayers will have until the end of that hearing to submit protest letters.

The council is considering a rate proposal that would increase the city’s water and sewer rates annually for five years. The recommended proposal would increase Leisure World’s fixed costs related to water services from $3,673.58 per month to $14,916.38 per month—a 306% increase in the first year. By 2030, Leisure World would pay $21,239.12 per month in fixed costs, in addition to increased volumetric rates.

The council’s decision to delay the vote was prompted by a letter from District 2 Councilmember Ben Wong,

WATER RATES, page 2

On July 11, GRF Interim Executive Director Dave Potter (r) submitted a protest letter against the rate hikes on behalf of the Golden Rain Foundation and six Mutuals to Deputy City Clerk Brandon DeCriscio.

Ruth Osborn who was not present at the meeting and requested the delay so he could participate in the rate discussion.

The council continued the July 14 public hearing in Wong’s absence since it had already been noticed to the public. Several Seal Beach residents spoke to the council from the podium, sharing concerns about the rapid rate of the increases and questioning if there were any alternatives.

Under Proposition 218, the city cannot increase rates if a majority of affected property owners submit letters of protest. By the end of the meeting, the city clerk had received 297 letters of protest against the water rate hikes, of a total 5,587 parcels of land. The clerk received 293 letters of protest against the sewer rates, of a total 5,050 parcels.

On July 11, GRF Interim Executive Director Dave Potter submitted a protest letter on behalf of the foundation and six Mutuals in an effort to halt the increase. Several Mutuals also elected to submit their own letters.

The city’s water and sewer systems have been plagued by failures and costly emergency repairs in recent months.

For more information, visit the city’s dedicated rate study website at https://utilityratestudy. sealbeachca.gov/.