Over the last few weeks, we have heard from a number of GVCA members and residents in North Poway who are very concerned about the water and sewer rate increases identified in the Prop 218 notification which went out recently. The new rates for water and sewer service amount to a combined increase of 20% for a typical north Poway property. On December 15th, City Council will vote to formally adopt the rate increases as described in the Prop 218 Notice.
What You Can Do
1. Contact elected officials in Sacramento where policies are being made that significantly impact our local water and sewer rates.
2. Send a formal protest to the City of Poway asking them to do the following in order to limit future increases:
- Review how the City can better scale its water operations and capital improvements in light of the "new" normal water demand to reduce its operating costs and lessen rate increases year after year.
- Assess if pass-through costs from other agencies are justified.
- Have staff prepare an action plan for Poway to push back against these pass-through increases and join forces with other cities facing the same issue.
According to the Poway City Clerk, written protest must include the following information:
- A description of the protestor's property, such as the address or assessor’s parcel number; and
- The name and original signature of the customer submitting the protest
- City Council will consider all written and oral protests at this public hearing. Email nor oral comments will not qualify as formal protests.
Hand Delivered
Written protests can be submitted in person to the City Clerk’s Office at 13325 Civic Center Drive, Poway.
Sent via US Mail
City of Poway, Attn: City Clerk, P.O. Box 789, Poway, CA 92074-0789
Submitted Protests must be received by the City Clerk’s office no later than 4:30 p.m. December 15, 2015.
Submitted at the Council Hearing
Written protest can be submitted in writing in the Council Chambers before the Public Hearing is closed.
NOTE: Last month, Poway City Council held a public workshop regarding the proposed rates. The GVCA addressed council with concerns regarding the new rates, the "temporary" surcharge, "pass-thru" cost, and the department's operating expenses. The workshop was sparsely attended by the public. We encourage all residents who are concerned about future increases to their water and sewer bills to become engaged in the public discussion BEFORE it reaches the Prop 218 phase.