The Santa Clara Valley Water District is considering raising rates, and a special public hearing will be held tonight in Gilroy to discuss the possible increases.
The meeting will give the public the opportunity to provide input regarding groundwater production and charges. It takes place at 7 p.m. at the Gilroy City Council Chambers, 7351 Rosanna St.
The hearing is held to inform the community of the activities performed by the SCVWD and charges related to those activities, according to the board agenda item. Members of the public can submit comments to the Board of Directors.Â
If written protests are filed by a majority of well owners or surface water operators the groundwater protection charge or surface water charge, respectively, cannot be increased.
Part of Proposition 218, which passed in California in 1996, the measure requires local government to ensure that all taxes and some charges on property owners are subject to voter approval. The public hearing will continue at the next board meeting, held April 24 at the SCVWD headquarters, 5700 Almaden Expressway, San Jose. The next meeting will be the last opportunity for voters to protest.Â
SCVWD staff recommends a 3.5 percent increase to surface water charges for fiscal year 2012-13. Staff also recommends setting the State Water Project Tax at $19 million, up from the $17 million for the current fiscal year 2011-12. This translates to a 8.6 percent increase in property taxes for the average single family resident, to roughly $32.81 per year from the previous $30.20.Â
Tonight’s meeting will also discuss the designation of an impartial third party to oversee the written protests for the groundwater protection and surface water charges.Â
The water district provides water supply and flood protection to Santa Clara County’s 1.8 million people with a budget of $312.6 million.Â
More information regarding the district’s annual report on protection and augmentation of water supply charges can be found at www.valleywater.org.Â
