City of Camarillo
Written Response to Written Objections and Protests for Proposed Adjustments to Water Rates
(AB 2257 – Government Code Sections 53759.1 and 53759.2)
The City of Camarillo (“City”) provides this written response to timely written objections related to the City’s proposed approval of updates to water rates. This response also includes responses to submissions received by the City that are related to the water rates, were received by the City during the time for submitting written objections, but which do not meet the requirements for filing a “timely written objection” in accordance with Government Code Section 53759.1 and the City’s Water Rate Setting Procedures (Resolution No. 2025-18).
By March 28, 2025 (which was at least 45 days prior to May 14, 2025), the City mailed the “Notice of Public Hearing” (Exhibit “A”) to each record owner served by City water services, and the City posted the Notice of Public Hearing on the City’s webpage (“cityofcamarillo.org/utilityrates”). The Public Hearing Notice also prominently identified supplemental documents that were concurrently posted on the City’s webpage, notably including a copy of the Rate Study that identifies each parcel to be charged, the amount of the rates, the basis upon which the rate was calculated, and the reason for the change in rates. The Rate Study was included on the City’s webpage, and it is labeled “City of Camarillo Water Rate Study” (dated March 27, 2025, prepared on behalf of the City by Raftelis. In addition to the Public Hearing Notice and Rate Study, the City’s webpage included supplemental opportunities for the public to obtain information regarding the proposed increase in water rates, including informational open houses on April 8 and 26, 2025.
The Public Hearing is scheduled for May 14, 2025, for the City Council (“Council”) to consider a recommended update to water service charges and rates, in accordance with the requirements of “Proposition 218” (California Constitution Article XIII D, Section 6) for approving increases to “property related fees.” The Proposition 218 hearing process includes the opportunity for property owners to submit a “Written Protest” prior to the close of the public hearing, and the City is prohibited from approving the increase if there is a “majority protest” (owners of more than 50% of the parcels in the City’s boundaries).
The Public Hearing Notice also provided an opportunity for property owners to submit to the City a “Written Objection” to the proposed rate increases by no later than the identified “deadline” of May 12, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Any written objection is required to identify the grounds for alleging the City did not comply with Proposition 218. In accordance with “AB 2257,” the City is required to provide a written response at the public hearing for each timely written objection received prior to the deadline (“AB 2257” is Assembly Bill 2257, Chapter 561, Statutes of 2024; codified at Government Code Sections 53759.1 and 53759.2).
City’s Response to Written Objections and Protests (2025-05-14)
As of the time of the deadline, the City had received one “Written Objection,” summarized below. A full copy of the Written Objection is available upon request to the City Clerk.
1. Charlene P. Saurer-Pietrowski
1. Objects to Camarillo’s flat rate and minimum charge utility billing proposal.
Proposition 218 requires that fees be proportionate to benefit.
Therefore, the City has prepared the “Written Response” to the Written Objection as set forth on Exhibit “B” (attached hereto). For each paragraph of each Written Objection, the Written Response provides the grounds and substantive bases for which the concerns identified in the Written Objections do not result in a justification to amend the proposed changes and increases to water rates, as described in the Notice of Public Hearing.
Other than the one Written Objection identified above, the City received the 107 “Submittals” identified as “Protests” on Exhibit “C” (attached hereto) from property owners prior to the deadline of May 12, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The Submittals were identified by the owner as a protest and/or an objection to the proposed update to the water rates. However, none of the Submittals meet the definition of a timely “written objection” (as defined by California Government Code Section 53759.1(c)(4)) since they do not specify the grounds for alleging the proposed water service rates do not comply with the requirements of Proposition 218 (California Constitution Article XIII C, Section 6). Therefore, the City will consider each Submittal as a timely written protest during the public hearing on May 14, 2025.
Although the City is not legally obligated under AB 2257 to provide a written response to the Submittals, the City provides this written information to explain how the concerns raised in the Submittals do not establish grounds for amending or altering the proposed changes and increases to the City’s water rates. This response incorporates by reference the substantive information included in the City’s Written Response to Written Objections.
As documented on the Notice of Public Hearing, which included documents available on the City’s website (cityofcamarillo.org/utilityrates), the City calculated the amount of the proposed water service rates in accordance with Proposition 218 in order to charge each customer the amount needed to pay the proportionate cost of providing water service to each property owner.
The City carefully set the water service rate in an amount that was limited to what will be needed to provide the water services to customers. This requirement is documented in the Rate Study at Table 4-5 which begins with revenue from existing rates resulting in a negative fund balance at the end of FY 2029 of more than $36 million, as compared to Table 4-7 which calculates revenue from proposed updated water rates will result in a fund balance at the end of FY 2029 of $12.7 million to meet the target balance of $12 million (to achieve goals identified in the Rate Study).
City’s Response to Written Objections and Protests (2025-05-14)
The proposed updated water rates include the Escalation Factors section on pages 13 and 14 of the Rate Study, which are applied over the four annual adjustments through July 1, 2029. The City used a general inflation factor estimated at 3 percent per year to reflect long-term historical averages of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and an estimated increase to salaries and benefits of 9 percent annually. The City applies specific inflationary factors to cost categories to allow for more accurate future costing estimates. These inflationary factors are generally based on realized cost increases each year and what we expect to occur in future years.
The City included a general inflation factor of 3 percent on the costs of providing service that are not otherwise specified with their own inflationary factor as outlined on Table 3- 3 of the Rate Study. We believe this to be a reasonable estimate of anticipated increases over the next four-year period between 2025 and 2029 since the historical annual averages of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) have seen increases between 2.9 and 8 percent over the last four completed calendar years and a 20-year average of 3 percent per year based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Table 3-3 on page 14 of the Rate Study identifies the 9 percent estimated escalation of costs for salary and benefits over four years. This estimate of future personnel costs is based on analysis of the City’s historical salary and benefit data from the past five years. These increases are not solely related to employee salaries – they are also driven by external factors like pension costs and health care benefits.
The City complied with the Proposition 218 requirement that rates be set in an amount proportional to the cost of service attributable to each parcel, as documented in the Rate Study at cityofcamarillo.org/waterstudy2025. This concern was raised in several of the Submittals identified below by the “Protest” number shown on Exhibit “C.”
Conclusions and Recommendations
Therefore, City staff recommends that the City Council: (a) consider the substance of each timely written objection and the written response from City staff; and (b) determine the timely written objections do not result in any amendment to or alteration of the proposed water rates, based on the analysis included on the City’s website (notably including the Rate Study) and presented as a part of the public hearing on May 14, 2025, which provides the substantive bases for the Council’s approval of the water rates as proposed.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
to Consider Proposed Adjustments to
Water Rates
Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 5 p.m.
City of Camarillo
City Clerk
601 Carmen Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010
(805) 383-5450 cityofcamarillo.org/utilityrates
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER PROPOSED
ADJUSTMENTS TO WATER RATES
Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 5 p.m.
Camarillo City Hall, City Council Chambers
601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo 93010
NOTIFICACIÓN DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA PARA
CONSIDERAR LOS AJUSTES PROPUESTOS A LAS
TARIFAS DEL AGUA
Miércoles, 14 de mayo de 2025, 17.00 horas
Camarillo City Hall, City Council Chambers
601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo 93010
Exhibit A
This Notice is being furnished to you by the City of Camarillo in accordance with Article XIII D, Section 6 of the California Constitution (Proposition 218), which requires the City to notify customers and property owners of record of proposed water rate adjustments. This notice is being provided to inform property owners and customers of the proposed changes and their right to object, protest, or provide comments to the City. This serves as notice that the Camarillo City Council will conduct a Public Hearing at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010.
All those interested are invited to appear at the time and place of the Public Hearing on May 14, 2025, to give oral or written comment or to submit written protests regarding the proposed rate adjustments. The City Council will hear and consider oral testimony and written materials submitted regarding proposed rate adjustments at the Public Hearing. The City Council has the authority to adjust the proposed water rate changes in response to oral testimony and written materials submitted for consideration, provided adjustments do not increase rates beyond those proposed in this Notice. If adopted, proposed water rate adjustments would become effective on July 1, 2025, with annual rate adjustments each July 1 through 2028.
Questions About this
Notice and Proposed
Rates?
Informational Open Houses About Proposed
Rates
The City is hosting two informational sessions
prior to the May 14 Public Hearing. City staff
and financial consultants will be available to
answer your questions one-on-one. This is your
opportunity to share feedback, gain insight into
system improvements, and understand how
proposed changes may impact your bill. Drop in
for any length of time during the Open House to
learn more about your water service, proposed
rate adjustments, and the investments needed
to ensure reliable service for years to come.
The same content will be covered in each
session. Spanish language assistance will be
provided.
Weeknight Open House
Tuesday, April 8, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Camarillo Public Library
4101 Las Posas Road, Camarillo
Saturday, April 26, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Camarillo City Hall Council Chambers
601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo
Weekend Open House
Jornadas Informativas abierta al Público
Sobre las Tarifas Propuestas
El Ayuntamiento organizará dos sesiones
informativas antes de la audiencia pública del
14 de mayo. El personal de la Ciudad y los
asesores financieros estarán disponibles para
responder a sus preguntas en forma individual.
Esta es su oportunidad para compartir
comentarios, obtener información sobre las
mejoras del sistema, y entender cómo los
cambios propuestos pueden afectar su factura.
Visítenos durante cualquier momento de la
Jornada Abierta al Público para obtener más
información sobre su servicio de agua, los
ajustes de tarifas propuestos y las inversiones
necesarias para garantizar un servicio confiable
en los próximos años. En cada sesión se
tratará el mismo contenido.
Se dará asistencia lingüística en las jornadas
informativas mencionadas arriba.
¿Preguntas sobre este
anuncio y las tarifas
propuestas?
NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNERS AND CUSTOMERS
La Ciudad de Camarillo le proporciona este Aviso de conformidad con el Artículo XIII D, Sección 6 de la Constitución de California (Proposición 218), que requiere que la Ciudad notifique a los clientes y propietarios registrados sobre los ajustes propuestos en la tarifa del agua. Este aviso se proporciona para informar a los propietarios y clientes de los cambios propuestos y su derecho a objetar, protestar o proporcionar comentarios a la Ciudad. Esto sirve como aviso de que el Concejo Municipal Camarillo llevará a cabo una Audiencia Pública a las 5 p.m. el miércoles 14 de mayo 2025, en la Sala del Concejo Municipal, Ayuntamiento, 601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010.
Se invita a todos los interesados a comparecer a la hora y en el lugar de la Audiencia Pública del 14 de mayo de 2025, para dar sus comentarios orales o escritos o para presentar protestas por escrito en relación con los ajustes de tarifas propuestos. El Concejo Municipal escuchará y considerará el testimonio oral y los materiales escritos presentados con respecto a los ajustes de tarifas propuestos en la Audiencia Pública. El Concejo Municipal tiene autoridad para ajustar los cambios propuestos en las tarifas del agua en respuesta a los testimonios orales y materiales escritos presentados para su consideración, siempre que los ajustes no aumenten las tarifas más allá de las propuestas en este Aviso. Si se adoptan, los ajustes propuestos a la tarifa del agua entrarían en vigor el 1 de julio de 2025, con ajustes anuales de la tarifa cada 1 de julio hasta 2028.
AVISO A PROPIETARIOS Y CLIENTES
1 2
Inversión Responsable en un Futuro de Agua Confiable:
La Ciudad está comprometida a proporcionar un suministro de agua seguro y fiale tanto ahora como en el futuro. La gestión financiera efectiva de nuestro sistema de agua es esencial para la resiliencia a largo plazo y el mantenimiento de la alta calidad de vida que esperamos en Camarillo. Sin embargo, la infraestructura obsoleta, los suministros de agua
sobrecargados, las regulaciones en evolución y los costos crecientes plantean desafíos significativos para los
proveedores de agua en todo California, incluida la Ciudad de Camarillo.
El sistema de agua de la Ciudad sirve a aproximadamente dos tercios de los residentes de la Ciudad, mientras que algunos residentes son atendidos por otros distritos de agua. Los límites para los clientes atendidos por el sistema de agua de la Ciudad se identifican en el Informe de Estudio de Tarifas de Agua en cityofcamarillo.org/utilityrates. Los clientes de agua de la Ciudad reciben agua procedente de aguas subterráneas locales y agua importada. En condiciones normales, alrededor de dos tercios del suministro de agua de la Ciudad es agua subterránea bombeada desde el acuífero de Fox Canyon a
través de cuatro pozos, dos de los cuales son tratados en el Desalinizador de North Pleasant Valley, y un tercio es agua importada desde el Proyecto de Agua del Estado del Norte de California y el río Colorado. La infraestructura del sistema de agua incluye 194 millas de tuberías de agua, cuatro pozos de agua subterránea, seis depósitos de almacenamiento de agua y la instalación de tratamiento de desalinización de aguas subterráneas.
La mayor parte de los fondos necesarios para operar e invertir en nuestro sistema de agua provienen directamente de las tarifas que pagan los clientes por el servicio de agua. Los ingresos procedentes de las tarifas actuales ya no son
suficientes para sostener las operaciones y financiar las muy necesarias mejoras y mantenimiento del sistema previstas para los próximos 10 años. En los últimos años, los costos han superado continuamente a los ingresos, por lo que la Ciudad reclutó a expertos en finanzas de servicios públicos para examinar nuestros costos de compra de agua y
operación del sistema de agua.
Los cambios propuestos a las tarifas y cargos del agua son necesarios para mantener de forma proactiva los sistemas de producción y distribución de agua, de modo que no cueste más hacerlo después, y estamos invirtiendo en suministros locales de agua que ahorran a los clientes a largo plazo en comparación con los costos del agua importada.
Responsible Investment in a Reliable Water Future:
The City is committed to providing a safe and reliable supply of water both now and in the future. Effective financial management of our water system is essential for long-term resilience and maintaining the high quality of life we have come to expect in Camarillo. However, aging infrastructure, strained water supplies, evolving regulations, and rising costs are posing significant challenges for water providers all over California, including the City of Camarillo.
The City water system serves roughly two-thirds of city residents, while some residents are served by other water districts. The boundaries for customers served by the City water system are identified in the Water Rate Study Report at cityofcamarillo.org/utilityrates. City water customers receive water sourced from local groundwater and imported water. In normal conditions, about two-thirds of the City water supply is groundwater pumped from the Fox Canyon
aquifer via four wells, two of which are treated at the North Pleasant Valley Desalter, and one-third is imported water from the Northern California State Water Project and
Colorado River. The water system infrastructure includes 194 miles of water pipelines, four groundwater wells, six water storage reservoirs, and the groundwater desalter
treatment facility.
The majority of funds required to operate and invest in our water system come directly from the rates customers pay for water service. Revenues from current rates are no longer adequate to support operations and fund the much-needed system improvements and maintenance planned over the
next 10 years. With costs continually outpacing revenues in recent years, the City enlisted utility finance experts to examine our costs to purchase water and operate the water system.
The proposed changes to water rates and charges are
necessary to proactively maintain the water production and distribution systems, so it doesn't cost more later to do so, and we're investing in local water supplies that save
customers in the long term compared to imported water
costs.
REASONS FOR PROPOSED WATER RATE
ADJUSTMENTS
RAZONES DE LOS AJUSTES PROPUESTOS DE LAS
TARIFAS DEL AGUA
Address rising costs of wholesale water supply,
utilities, chemicals, and supplies.
Reduce reliance on more expensive imported
water by funding new capital projects that
increase local water supplies.
Replace and modernize our aging infrastructure
to prevent breaks and service disruptions and
improve system resiliency.
Maintain financial sustainability while addressing
reduced revenues from responsible conservation.
Meet minimum debt requirements and fund
emergency/unplanned expenses.
3 Why Water Rate Increases Are Needed
Durante el reciente estudio de tarifas, una revisión de los costos operativos, los proyectos de capital planificados y los ingresos por agua reveló un déficit significativo y la necesidad de aumentos continuos a las tarifas anuales.
Después de varios años de ingresos por agua inferiores a los proyectados, es necesario realizar ajustes más significativos a las tarifas para:
Por qué es Necesario Aumentar las Tarifas del Agua
Hacer frente al aumento de los costos del suministro
de agua al por mayor, los servicios públicos, los
productos químicos y los suministros.
Reducir la dependencia del agua importada, más
cara, financiando nuevos proyectos de capital que
aumenten los suministros locales de agua.
Sustituir y modernizar nuestra infraestructura
obsoleta para evitar alteraciones e interrupciones del
servicio y mejorar la resiliencia del sistema.
Mantener la sostenibilidad financiera al tiempo que
se hace frente a la reducción de los ingresos
reducidos por la conservación responsable.
Cumplir los requisitos mínimos de deuda y financiar
los gastos de emergencia/ no planificados.
During the recent rate study, a review of operational costs, planned capital projects, and water revenues revealed a significant shortfall and the need for continued annual rate increases.
After several years of lower than projected water revenues, more significant rate adjustments are necessary to:
The City relies heavily on water sales to fund the complex water system that delivers safe, reliable water to customers.
This helps ensure fairness, as customers are charged in large part by how much water they use. However, when
customers use less water, which happens in drought years and during periods of abundant rainfall, it leads to lower revenues. Lower revenues are a challenge because a
majority of the costs associated with operating and
maintaining our water system do not decrease
proportionately with lower water usage. Regardless of how much water customers use, we have to strike a balance
between conservation and cost control.
Recently, this has been made even more challenging with four consecutive years of too much or too little rain.
Collecting sufficient revenue from customer payments
ensures the City can continue to deliver the high-quality, reliable water on which we depend. The City is proposing four years of rate adjustments for adoption by the City Council based on an updated 10-year financial plan. Balancing
affordability with financial needs is a key consideration for developing the proposed changes to water rates. The
justification and methodology for the proposed rate changes are set forth in the Rate Study Report that is posted at cityofcamarillo.org/utilityrates.
La Ciudad depende en gran medida de las ventas de agua
para financiar el complejo sistema de agua que suministra agua segura y confiable a los clientes. Esto ayuda a garantizar la equidad, ya que a los clientes se les cobra en parte en función de la cantidad de agua que utilizan. Cuando los clientes usan menos agua, como ocurre en los años de sequía y durante los periodos de lluvias abundantes, los ingresos disminuyen. La disminución en los ingresos es un reto porque la mayoría de los costos asociados con la operación y el mantenimiento de nuestro sistema de agua no disminuyen
proporcionalmente. Independientemente de la cantidad de agua que utilicen los clientes, tenemos que lograr un equilibrio entre la conservación y control de costos.
Últimamente, esto se ha vuelto aún más desafiante con
cuatro años consecutivos de demasiada o muy poca lluvia.
Recaudar ingresos suficientes de los pagos de los clientes garantiza que la Ciudad pueda seguir suministrando el agua confiable y de alta calidad de la que dependemos. La Ciudad está proponiendo cuatro años de ajustes de tarifas para su adopción por el Concejo Municipal sobre la base de un plan financiero actualizado de 10 años. Equilibrar la asequibilidad con las necesidades financieras es una consideración clave para desarrollar los cambios propuestos en las tarifas del agua. La justificación y la metodología de los cambios
propuestos en las tarifas se exponen en el Informe del Estudio de Tarifas que se encuentra publicado en
cityofcamarillo.org/utilityrates.
PROPOSED WATER RATES
4 Table 1. Proposed Four-Year Schedule of Monthly Water Meter Service Charge
Table 1 shows the current and proposed monthly water service charge by meter size. Note: One unit of water is 100 cubic feet (hcf) or approximately 748 gallons of water.
Meter SizeTamaño de medidor CurrentActual 7/1/20251 de julio de 2025 7/1/20261 de julio de 2026 7/1/20271 de julio de 2027 7/1/20281 de julio de 2028 3/4" $26.19 $32.48 $38.33 $42.93 $44.65
1” $34.94 $43.33 $51.13 $57.27 $59.57
1 ½” $56.84 $70.49 $83.18 $93.17 $96.90
2” $83.12 $103.07 $121.63 $136.23 $141.68
3” $166.33 $206.25 $243.38 $272.59 $283.50
4” $288.95 $358.30 $422.80 $473.54 $492.49
6” $626.20 $776.49 $916.26 $1,026.22 $1,067.27
8” $1,064.16 $1,319.56 $1,557.09 $1,743.95 $1,813.71
Fire Hydrant / Hidrante $166.33 $206.25 $243.38 $272.59 $283.50 The City is proposing four years of water rate increases. All customers pay a water rate that includes both a monthly water meter service charge and a monthly commodity (water use) rate. Customer rates and charges will differ depending on the size of the meter, user class, and monthly water use.
La Ciudad propone cuatro años de aumentos de las tarifas del agua. Todos los clientes pagan una tarifa de agua que incluye tanto un cargo mensual por servicio de medidor de agua como un cargo mensual por productos básicos (uso de agua). Las tarifas y los cargos a los clientes variarán en función del tamaño del medidor, la clase de usuario y el uso mensual de agua.
Tabla 1. Programa propuesto de Cuatro años para el
cargo mensual por servicio del medidor de agua
La tabla 1 muestra el cargo mensual actual y propuesto de servicio de agua por tamaño de medidor. Nota: Una unidad de agua es de 100 pies cúbicos (hcf) o aproximadamente 748 galones de agua.
Table 2. Proposed Four-Year Schedule of Monthly Water
Commodity Rates (use/consumption)
Table 2 shows current and proposed water consumption rates per unit of water for residential and non-residential customers. The commodity rate is in dollars per unit ($/hcf). (1 unit = 1 hcf = 748 gallons)
Customer Type & TierTipo de cliente y nivel CurrentActual 7/1/20251 de julio de 2025 7/1/20261 de julio de 2026 7/1/20271 de julio de 2027 7/1/20281 de julio de 2028 Residential / Residencial
Tier 1 / Nivel 1 $2.66 $3.30 $3.90 $4.37 $4.55
Tier 2 / Nivel 2 $3.94 $4.89 $5.78 $6.48 $6.74
Tier 3 / Nivel 3 $5.34 $6.63 $7.83 $8.77 $9.13
Uniform Classes / Clases Uniformes
Commercial/Industrial/GovernmentComercial/Industrial/Gubernamental $3.35 $4.16 $4.91 $5.50 $5.72 Landscape, Ag, Const. / Paisajismo, Ag, Constr. $5.92 $7.35 $8.68 $9.73 $10.12 Recycled / Reciclada $3.55 $4.41 $5.21 $5.84 $6.08
Tabla 2. Programa propuesto de Cuatro años de Tarifas
Mensuales de los Productos Hídricos (uso/consumo)
La tabla 2 muestra las tarifas de consumo de agua actuales y propuestas por unidad de agua para clientes residenciales y no residenciales. El precio de la materia prima es en dólares por unidad ($/hcf). (1 unidad = 1 hcf = 748 galones)
TARIFAS DE AGUA PROPUESTAS
4 hcf 8 hcf 12 hcf 16 hcf 20 hcf
Current Bill (2024)Factura actual (2024) $36.83 $47.47 $61.95 $79.11 $100.47 Proposed Bill (2025)Factura Propuesta (2025) $45.68 $58.88 $76.85 $98.15 $124.67 $ Change$ Cambio $8.85 $11.41 $14.90 $19.04 $24.20
$61.95
Table 3: Proposed Bill Impact
Table 3 is based on a monthly bill for a typical Single-Family Residential (SFR) customer with a 3/4” meter using 12 hcf of water monthly. The average household will see an increase of $14.90 on their monthly water bill over the first year. If approved, first year rate adjustments will go into effect July 1, 2025. Bill impacts vary based on customer type, meter size, and water usage.
Tabla 3: Impacto de la factura propuesta
La tabla 3 se basa en una factura mensual para un cliente típico de una vivienda unifamiliar (SFR) con un medidor de ¾” que utiliza 12 hcf de agua al mes. El hogar promedio verá un aumento de $14.90 en su factura mensual de agua durante el primer año. Si se aprueban, los ajustes de tarifas del primer año entrarán en vigor el 1 de julio de 2025. Los impactos en las facturas varían en función del tipo de cliente, el tamaño del medidor y el uso de agua. 5 Water Bill Calculator
A water bill calculator is available at cityofcamarillo.org/utilityrates. Input your monthly water usage, and the calculator will show you how the proposed adjustments will affect your monthly bill.
Calculadora de Facturas de Agua
En la página web cityofcamarillo.org/utilityrates encontrará una calculadora de la facturas de agua. Ingrese su consumo mensual de agua, y la calculadora le mostrará cómo los ajustes propuestos afectarán su factura mensual.
Drought Surcharges Remain In Effect
Drought surcharges work to offset reduced revenues when the City is in a declared water shortage emergency. In 2023, the City Council adopted drought surcharges that may be charged to customers in addition to water use rates during drought stages.
Drought surcharges may only be implemented at the discretion of the City Council during periods of mandatory conservation, declared shortages, or other water emergencies to ensure the water utility is financially whole. The 2023 drought surcharges are not changing as part of the proposed 2025 updated water rates described in this Notice.
Siguen Vigentes los Recargos por Sequía
Los recargos por sequía sirven para compensar la reducción de ingresos cuando la Ciudad se encuentra en una situación declarada de emergencia por escasez de agua. En 2023, el Ayuntamiento adoptó recargos por sequía que pueden cobrarse a los clientes además de las tarifas de uso del agua durante las etapas de sequía. Los recargos por sequía sólo pueden
implementarse a discreción del Concejo Municipal durante períodos de conservación obligatoria, escasez declarada u otras
emergencias de agua para garantizar la integridad financiera del servicio de agua. Los recargos por sequía de 2023 no cambiarán como parte de las tarifas de agua actualizadas propuestas para 2025 que se describen en este Aviso.
Please note that pursuant to California Government Code section 53759, there is a 120-day statute of limitations for judicially challenging all rates set forth in this Notice that runs from the effective date of or the date of the final passage, adoption, or approval of the resolution or motion approving the rates, whichever is later.
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR CHALLENGING
PROPOSED RATES:
Tenga en cuenta que, de conformidad con la sección
53759 del Código Gubernamental de California, existe un plazo de prescripción de 120 días para impugnar
judicialmente todas las tarifas establecidas en el presente Aviso, que extiende a partir de la fecha de entrada en
vigor de la ordenanza que aprueba estas tarifas.
PLAZO DE PRESCRIPCIÓN PARA IMPUGNAR LAS
TARIFAS PROPUESTAS
The Rate Study Report is available at
cityofcamarillo.org/utilityrates.
The Report is also on file with the City
Clerk at City Hall. Scan the QR Code
to be taken directly to the webpage.
El Informe del Estudio de Tarifas está disponible en
cityofcamarillo.org/utilityrates. El Informe también
está archivado con el Secretario de la Ciudad en el
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RATE STUDY REPORT:
INFORME SOBRE EL ESTUDIO
DE TARIFAS
$76.85
The average householdwill see an increase of
on their monthly bill.(50¢ per day)+$14.90
El hogar promedio verá un aumento de $14.90
en su factura mensual. (50 centavos por día)
Current
Actual
Proposed
Propuesta
Any objection OR protest must: (1) be in writing identifying the name of the property owner, and the street address or other clear identification of the property subject to the rates; (2) be signed by the property owner, unless sent by the property owner via email (subject to verification by the City); and (3) comply with the relevant requirements for a written objection or written protest (as outlined below). NOTE: As used in this Notice, the phrase “property owner” includes a tenant who is obligated to pay the water rate.
The main differences between an objection and a protest: a) the deadline for timely submission; b) the additional information required; and c) a timely written objection is required to subsequently bring a legal challenge to the proposed rates. 6 HOW TO SUBMIT AN OBJECTION OR PROTEST
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Timely Written OBJECTION
A timely written objection must specify the
grounds for alleging that the proposed
rates do not comply with Prop 218. The
City of Camarillo has documented how the
proposed rates comply with Prop 218 in the
Water Rate Setting Procedures posted at
cityofcamarillo.org/waterprocedure. The
deadline for written objections is May 12,
2025, at 5 p.m. To be considered timely,
such objection must be received by the City
via a “SUBMITTAL LOCATION” listed on this
page prior to the deadline.
Failure to submit a timely written
objection bars any right to challenge the
proposed rates through a legal
proceeding. (Gov. Code section
53759.1(c).)
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Timely Written PROTEST
A written protest must clearly state that
the property owner opposes the rate
increases. To be considered timely, a
written protest must be received by the City
via a “SUBMITTAL LOCATION” listed here,
prior to the close of the public testimony
portion of the May 14, 2025, Public
Hearing. Any timely written objection
submitted (see left) will also be considered
to be a timely written protest.
Only one protest will be counted per parcel.
Owners of multiple parcels may file one
protest for each parcel owned within the
City’s service area. If timely written
protests are received from owners of a
majority of parcels within the City’s service
area, the proposed rate increases will not
be implemented.
SUBMITTAL LOCATIONS:
Mail:
Camarillo City Clerk
601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010
Email:
[email protected]
In Person:
Camarillo City Clerk
601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010
If adopted, the proposed rates will take
effect beginning July 1, 2025. The
reasons for the rate adjustments, the
basis upon which they were calculated,
and the amount of the proposed rates
are described in more detail in the Rate
Study posted at
cityofcamarillo.org/utilityrates, and
available for appointment at the City
Clerk’s office.
To schedule an appointment, please call
(805) 388-5397 or send email to
[email protected].
REQUISITOS ADICIONALES:
OBJECIÓN Por Escrito A Tiempo
Una objeción oportuna por escrito debe
especificar los motivos para alegar que las
tarifas propuestas no cumplen con la
Proposición 218. La Ciudad de Camarillo ha
documentado cómo las tarifas propuestas
cumplen con la Proposición 218 en los
Procedimientos de Fijación de Tarifas de
Agua y el Estudio de Tarifas de Agua que
están publicados en
cityofcamarillo.org/waterprocedure. La fecha
límite para presentar objeciones por escrito
es el 12 de mayo de 2025, a las 5 p.m.
Para que se considere oportuna, dicha
objeción debe ser recibida por la Ciudad en
el “LUGAR DE PRESENTACIÓN” indicado en
esta página antes de la fecha límite.
La falta de presentación oportuna de una
objeción por escrito excluye cualquier
derecho a impugnar las tarifas propuestas
mediante un procedimiento judicial.
(Código de Gobernación, artículo
53759.1(c)).
REQUISITOS ADICIONALES:
PROTESTA Escrita A Tiempo
Una protesta por escrito debe indicar
claramente que el propietario se opone a
los aumentos de tarifas. Para que se
considere oportuna, una protesta por escrito
debe ser recibida por la Ciudad en el
“LUGAR DE PRESENTACIÓN” que aparece
aquí, antes del cierre de la parte de
testimonios públicos de la audiencia pública
del miércoles 14 de mayo de 2025.
Cualquier objeción por escrito presentada a
tiempo (véase a la izquierda) también se
considerará una protesta por escrito
presentada a tiempo.
Sólo se contará una protesta por parcela.
Los propietarios de varias parcelas podrán
presentar una protesta por cada parcela que
posean dentro del área de servicio de la
Ciudad. Si se reciben oportunamente
protestas por escrito de los propietarios de
la mayoría de las parcelas dentro del área
de servicio de la Ciudad, no se
implementarán los aumentos de tarifas
propuestos.
Cualquier objeción O protesta debe (1) ser por escrito identificando el nombre del propietario, y la dirección u otra identificación clara de la propiedad sujeta a las tarifas; (2) estar firmada por el propietario, a menos que sea enviada por el propietario a través de correo electrónico (sujeto a verificación por parte del Distrito); y (3) cumplir con los requisitos pertinentes para una objeción por escrito o protesta por escrito (como se indica a continuación). NOTA: tal y como se utiliza en este Aviso, la expresión “propietario” incluye al inquilino obligado al pago de la tarifa del agua.
Las principales diferencias entre una objeción y una protesta son las siguientes: a) el plazo para la presentación oportuna; b) la información adicional requerida; y c) es necesario presentar una objeción por escrito oportuna para posteriormente presentar una impugnación legal a las tarifas propuestas.
CÓMO PRESENTAR UNA OBJECIÓN O PROTESTA
LUGAR DE PRESENTACIÓN:
Correo:
Camarillo City Clerk
601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010
Correo electrónico:
[email protected]
En Persona:
Camarillo City Clerk
601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010
Si se adoptan, las tarifas propuestas
entrarán en vigor a partir del 1 de julio de
2025. Las razones para los ajustes de
tarifas, la base sobre la que se calcularon,
y el monto de las tarifas propuestas se
describen con más detalle en el Estudio
de Tarifas publica en
cityofcamarillo.org/utilityrates, y disponible
para citas en la oficina del Secretario
Municipal. Para concertar una cita, llame
al (805) 388-5397 o envíe un correo
electrónico a [email protected].
194 Miles of Pipes
194 millas de tuberías
4 Wells
4 pozos
6 Water Storage Reservoirs
6 reservorios de
almacenamiento de agua
3 Booster Pump Stations
3 estaciones de bombas
de refuerzo
Frequently Asked Questions
7 About the City’s Water Division
The Water Division’s mission is to
deliver a dependable supply of water
to meet the present and future needs
of customers through cost-effective
management and maintenance of
infrastructure, while meeting
environmental and regulatory
requirements. The division responds
to concerns regarding issues such as
water quality or pressure problems.
The system consists of:
Water rate adjustments will:
Address rising costs of wholesale
water supply, utilities, chemicals,
and supplies.
Help reduce reliance on more
expensive imported water by
continuing to fund new capital
projects that—like the Desalter—
will increase local water supplies.
Replace and modernize our aging
infrastructure to prevent breaks and
service disruptions and improve
system resiliency.
Maintain financial sustainability
while addressing reduced revenues
from responsible conservation.
Help fund emergency/unplanned
expenses.
What will the proposed rate increases
pay for?
If we are conserving water, why is our
water bill going up?
While water conservation is essential
for preserving our natural resources
and ensuring long-term sustainability, it
also presents a financial challenge.
Reduced water usage actually results
in declining water sales, which directly
impacts the revenue needed to
operate, maintain, and upgrade the
water system. Moreover, the
operations and maintenance costs
associated with providing safe, reliable
water do not vary much based on the
level of water use.
How will proposed rate increases
benefit Camarillo in the long term?
Effective financial management of our
water system helps us maintain the
high quality of life we have come to
expect in Camarillo. Revenues from
current rates are not adequate to
support operations and fund the much-
needed capital projects, system
improvements, and water purchases
planned over the next 10 years. A
forward-looking rate adjustment
strategy has been formulated to help
us maintain a high level of service and
gain more local control over our water
supply to reduce reliance on costly
imported water.
La misión de la División de Agua es
entregar un suministro confiable de
agua para satisfacer las necesidades
actuales y futuras de los clientes a
través del manejo y mantenimiento
económico de la infraestructura,
mientras cumple con los requisitos
ambientales y regulatorios. La
división responde a preocupaciones
sobre problemas como la calidad del
agua o problemas de presión.
El sistema consiste de:
Acerca de la División de Aguas
de la Ciudad
City’s Response to Written Objections and Protests (2025-05-14) Exhibit B
Exhibit B
1-1: Objection: Camarillo’s flat rate and minimum charge utility billing proposal.
Proposition 218 requires that fees be proportionate to benefit.
Response: Water charges consist of two components for all customers: 1. A fixed service charge based on the size of the water meter serving a property and 2. The volume of metered water use each billing period. The existing rate structure was developed as part of the 2021 Water Cost of Service Analysis and rate study.
Fixed charges are not flat, but instead vary by the size of the physical connection.
These charges recover all or a share of costs related to customer service, meter reading, public fire protection, and extra-capacity costs of facilities ready to serve peak water demand. The base meter size of the Water utility is a 3/4" meter. This, and all meters, must be read, serviced, maintained, and ultimately replaced whether or not water is used. More, the meter size allows for a specific potential capacity which can be drawn on the system instantaneously. For the 3/4” meter for example, that capacity is 30 gallons per minute. Larger meters have the ability to draw more capacity (larger volumes) instantaneously. The monthly fixed service charges recover the fair share of these costs across all customers based on their meter class.
The proposed fixed rates for residential customers are proportionate to the service provided to each customer (or customer class). Rates were derived by a cost of service (COS) analysis which yields cost-based rates at the class (meter charges collectively) and intra-class (meter charges by size) level.
City’s Response to Written Objections and Protests (2025-05-14) Exhibit C
Exhibit C
Protests Received Prior to May 12 at 5:00 107
Submittals that are neither Protests nor Objections and the reason:
Address not in Service Area 18
Address not provided 14
Duplicate protest for parcel 10
Outside of Protest Window 1
Subtotal 43
Total Submittals Received 150