Water sold wholesale to South County well owners, businesses and
municipalities is set to increase 3.6 percent next year following
the recommendation by the Santa Clara Valley Water District.
Board votes on water rates Tuesday
San Jose – Water sold wholesale to South County well owners, businesses and municipalities is set to increase 3.6 percent next year following the recommendation by the Santa Clara Valley Water District.
The board of directors will cast its vote Tuesday at the water district headquarters, 5750 Almaden Expressway in San Jose.
Water charges were flat from 2009 through 2011, but based on the district’s projections the charges will increase 18 percent over the next five years from this year’s proposed $275 per acre foot to $325 per acre foot. One acre foot is enough water to supply a family of five for one year.
According to the district, the average household in South County will experience a monthly increase of 34 cents or about 1 cent per day. Water district rates do rank as some of the lowest per month in the state; Bakersfield and Sacramento are listed among those that pay between $21 and $29 a month on average. Water used for agriculture purposes is also increasing by 3.6 percent to $17.10 per acre foot from $16.50.
The city of Morgan Hill, which purchases water from SCVWD and sells it to residents, has already recommended a 10-percent increase in both water and sewer rates starting Jan. 1, 2012.
The North County zone is subject to a 9.4 percent rate increase in 2011-12, and according to senior project manager Darin Taylor the district needs to raise rates because water usage has declined. It hit a 15-year low last year because of the economy and rainy season.
The rate profit goes to funding “critical capital program needs” such as the Anderson Dam seismic retrofit and keeping the groundwater basin recharged.
County hosts public hearing on budget
San Jose – Citizens who feel compelled to speak out about how the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors is planning to reduce its budget by $220 million can attend a special public hearing Tuesday.
The session starts at 6:30 p.m. in board chambers at 70 W. Hedding in San Jose and is an open-microphone night for complaints, praises or concerns before the board makes its final decisions June 13 through June 17.
This week, the board heard presentations from every department with consideration as to how to reduce spending, which they will take into consideration for their final decision. The county assessor recommends eliminating 400 jobs and the recovery of $75 million through labor negotiations.
– Staff Reports
