Front Page  »  

Morro Bay water rates to double and then some

March 30, 2015

morro bay plantMorro Bay water bills will more than double over the next five years, and they will be accompanied by a similar increase in sewer rates. [Tribune]

Last week, the Morro Bay City Council unanimously approved a new rate structure that will increase the water bill for a typical family from $33.20 a month to $75.50 by July 2019. Over the same period, a typical monthly sewer bill will rise from $45.59 to $83.

The typical family, which uses about 150 gallons of water a day, will begin paying $50 a month this July. The monthly bill will increase to $65.50, or nearly double the current cost, by July 2017.

The city has not raised water rates in 20 years. Both city management and council members are placing blame for the sharp increase on past councils, saying they should have gradually raised rates.

City staff estimate the water system will need about $9 million in infrastructure improvements over the next decade. The city’s aging sewage treatment system will require about $10 million worth of maintenance.

Additionally, Morro Bay is attempting to build a new sewage treatment plant, which is estimated to cost about $75 million. The city initially planned to rebuild its current plant, but the Morro Bay council changed course after the California Coastal Commission rejected a reconstruction proposal.

Morro Bay ratepayers could still stage a protest to overturn the coming rate hikes, but more than 50 percent of ratepayers would have to formally object to the proposed increases. A ratepayer protest hearing is scheduled for May 26.


Loading...
Subjects:                     
Related:


36 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

A classic example of not taking responsibility for one`s actions and trying to blame someone else.


0

Ouch!


0

Elections have consequences…


0

I notice what wasn’t mentioned from the Trib article is that “Mayor pro-nothing” Johnson, after blaming past councils, stated that the water fund was $900,000 in debt. What, did she just wake up this morning and realize that? Exactly what has this current council done to try to counteract this deficit since they’ve been in power?


0

There is no good answer for this but we can start with flood mitigation projects where needed. For example, Santa Margarita’s most damaging problem has been flooding and now is a good time to build those flash flood metering ponds, if the Ranch be willing.


0

its nice to finally see CCN take a look at some of the things going on in morro bay. Once again, my list includes disregard for the municipal code and personnel rules and regulations on a number of issues, exorbitant city attorney costs for an attorney that spends 1 or 2 days a week in town, changing of the city seal to a cartoon that disregards the city’s commercial fishing fleet, business license debacle with bogus information sent by city administration, need I go on. Lets keep in mind that the current council majority of irons, christine johnson and smuckler are going on their 3rd year and what have they positively accomplished?


and in terms of water and sewer – Morro Bay “you ain’t seen nothing yet”. How in the world can you determine what you will need for sewer $$ when there isn’t even a PROJECT – 3 years after irons, christine johnson and smuckler blew it up, without even a hearing before the Coastal Commission – remember the Coastal Commission never, ever heard the project!


0

This is only the tip of the long awaited ice berg.

Every county in California has kicked the can down the road for decades and with nature throwing another drought at us all, every community will be faced with this same scenario. Don’t feel special…

Use water less and the price goes up, not enough water in the system the price goes up, no new infrastructure built in California in over 40 years and the price of course will go up.

Maybe Gov. Moonbeam will shave off a couple bucks from the bullet train to nowhere price tag and throw us citizens all a bone…


0

Current council blames past councils – What, they are the past council. They didn’t want to address raising the rates when they were working so hard to get re-elected so they kicked the same can down the road as those they seem to be blaming. They did a water rate study over a year ago but didn’t address it until now. Shameful, take ownership council, you’ve yet to do anything positive to enhance our quality of life in town.


0

it seems to me that state and local government are looking everywhere to hike things


0

Oh but the new guy had the public works guys build a parklet on Main street in the gutter that took up 3 or 4 parking spaces,I’d like to see what happens if we should ever get a rain storm where that would end up.


0

This doesn’t mention if this applies to commercial users as well, but if so, I feel for the business owners who depend on volume to operate successfully–restaurants, hotels, etc.

The increased cost of doing business may well be the final straw for many, others may be forced to use disposable plates, cups, etc. which will only increase garbage bills, and landfill issues. Morro Bay garbage rates are already higher than those in south county.


Hard to understand no rate increases in 20 years. Besides the water rate in MB, can’t think of anything which hasn’t increased in price over the past two decades.


0
1 2 3