CSD ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
CAMARILLO SANITARY DISTRICT AMENDING CHAPTER
VII, SECTION 7001 OF THE DISTRICT’S OPERATIONS
CODE RELATING TO SEWER SERVICE RATES
The Board of Directors of the Camarillo Sanitary District ordains as follows:
SECTION 1: The Board of Directors of the Camarillo Sanitary District finds and declares as follows:
A. The Camarillo Sanitary District (“District”) provides sewer service to property owners (who may also be referred to as “owners”) within the District’s service area (as described on Exhibit “B”), and establishes the amount of sewer rates to be charged customers in accordance with Camarillo Operations Code (“Operations Code”) Chapter VII and applicable law.
B. The District is authorized to establish fees, rates, and charges for the sewer services provided to each property owner in accordance with Health and Safety Code Sections 5470-5474.10, and “Proposition 218” (California Constitution Article XIII D, Section 6; as it is implemented by the Legislature at Government Code sections 53750 – 53759.2; and as it has been interpreted by judicial decisions).The District refers to those fees, rates, and charges as sewer charges or sewer rates (as used herein, the phrases “sewer charges” or and “sewer rates” may be used interchangeably).
C. The District has previously established sewer rates as set forth in Operations Code Chapter VII. The purpose of the sewer rates is to ensure that adequate funding is provided to protect the public health, safety and general welfare through the provision of a reliable and adequate sewer system that meets current and anticipated demands to serve the owners and customers of the District.
D. The District undertook an analysis of previously established sewer rates, as documented in the Camarillo Sanitary District Sewer Rate Study Final Report prepared by the District’s rate consultant, Raftelis, dated March 27, 2025 (“Rate Study”), and determined that proposed changes to the District’s sewer rates are warranted in order to offset the District’s ongoing costs of providing sewer services to owners and customers.
The Rate Study has been posted on the District’s (“City of Camarillo Utility Rates”) website since March 28, 2025, and it is available for public review upon request.
E. On February 26, 2025, the Board of Directors of the Camarillo Sanitary District (“Board”) approved CSD Resolution No. 2025-1, by which the Board directed District staff to provide notice of a public hearing to consider the approval of updated sewer rates in accordance with the requirements of Proposition 218, including implementation of the administrative remedies for owners to submit written objections to the sewer rates (in accordance with “AB 2257” codified at Government Code Sections 53759.1 and 53759.2).
F. On March 28, 2025, the District mailed the notice of public hearing (to be held on May 14, 2025) to all property owners receiving sewer service from the District, and posted the notice on its website at cityofcamarillo.org/utilityrates. The public hearing notice was also published in accordance with Government Code Sections 6062a, 54354.5, and 66016.
G. Consistent with the notice of public hearing, the public hearing was held on May 14, 2025, the Board provided an opportunity for every interested person to comment on the proposed sewer rates, the Board considered all timely written protests from property owners and written responses from District staff, and the Board determined that the proposed sewer rates comply with the requirements of Proposition 218 and proceeded to conduct the public hearing to consider timely written protests submitted prior to the close of public hearing.
H. The Board determines, after having duly received and considered oral and documentary evidence concerning the necessity for the proposed sewer rates, that it is warranted and necessary to establish revised sewer rates as set forth in this Ordinance.
I. This Ordinance is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(8), and California Code of Regulations Section 15273 (of the “CEQA Regulations”) because it establishes, modifies, structures, or restructures, and approves rates and charges for the purposes of:
(1) meeting operating expenses; (2) purchasing supplies, equipment and materials; (3) meeting financial requirements; and (4) obtaining funds for capital projects necessary to maintain service within existing service areas.
SECTION 2: Revisions to Sewer Rates and Charges.
A. Amendment to Section 7001 of the Operations Code. The Board of Directors of the Camarillo Sanitary District (“Board”) hereby approves the sewer rates set forth on “Exhibit A,” which is attached and incorporated by this reference. However, as set forth in Ordinance Section 2.A.5, the sewer rates do not include the “Trust Deposits” identified in Subsection III of Exhibit “A.” The Board hereby amends and restates Section 7001 of Chapter VII of the District’s Operations Code as set forth on Exhibit “A” in order to codify the sewer rates approved by this Ordinance. The sewer rates approved by this Ordinance shall be implemented in accordance with Ordinance Section 2.B and 2.C. The sewer rates are approved based on the following findings and determinations by the Board:
1. After considering all timely written objections and written responses, the Rate Study and all evidence identified in this Ordinance document the bases on which these sewer rates are approved, and there is no need to reduce, alter, or clarify the proposed sewer rates.
2. At the close of the public hearing on May 14, 2025, the Board considered all timely written protests and determined that, from the total number of 15,002 parcels served by District sewer service, the owners of a majority of those parcels did not submit a written protest. Therefore, the Board overruled all written protests against the proposed sewer rates, and the District may approve the sewer rates in accordance with California Constitution Article XIII D, Section 6(a)(2).
3. The Rate Study and all evidence identified in this Ordinance document that the sewer rates comply with the substantive requirements of Proposition 218, as set forth at California Constitution Article XIII D, Section 6(b):
a. The revenues derived from the rates do not exceed the cost of providing sewer service to property owners or customers served by the District’s sewer service.
b. The revenues derived from rates are not, and shall not be, used for any other purpose other than meeting the costs of providing sewer service. c. The amount of the rate imposed upon any parcel does not exceed the proportional cost of the sewer service provided to that parcel. d. The revenues derived from rates are used for sewer services actually used by, or immediately available to, the person or owner of the property responsible for the payment of the rate.
e. No rate is imposed for general governmental services, such as police or fire, that is available to the public at large.
4. The proposed sewer rates are not discriminatory or excessive, and will be sufficient under Government Code Section 54515 and under the provisions or covenants of any outstanding revenue bonds of the District payable from the revenues of the enterprise and will be in compliance with applicable law.
5. The sewer rates approved by this Ordinance do not modify the “Trust Deposits” charges which are codified at Subsection III of Chapter VII of the District’s Operations Code (“Trust Deposits”) and remain in effect. For convenience, the previously approved Trust Deposits amounts are set forth on Exhibit “A” (Subsection III).
B. Review of Sewer Rates. The District Manager shall periodically, but not less than annually, review the sewer rates to determine whether revenues from such rates are meeting the actual cost of services and facilities necessary to deliver sewer service to the residential and non-residential developments within the District. If the District Manager determines that revenues are not adequate to meet costs, the District Manager shall recommend to the Board a revised schedule of sewer rates in accordance with Proposition 218 and the processes described in this Ordinance.
C. Effective Date of Sewer Rates. The sewer rates set forth on “Exhibit A” shall be effective July 1, 2025, for the rates identified in each column labeled “Effective July 1, 2025” for each row of rates as applicable to the relevant property owner or customer for each “Residential Class,” “Meter Size,” and “Commodity Rate.” Thereafter, the sewer rates shall be automatically updated on an annual basis each July 1 for the years 2026, 2027, and 2028, in accordance with the schedule set forth on Exhibit “A” for the corresponding columns for each year labeled “Effective July 1, 2026,” “Effective July 1, 2027,” and “Effective July 1, 2028.” The rates in effect on July 1, 2028, shall remain in effect each July 1, thereafter. The District shall provide notice of any such annual adjustment to sewer rates at least 30 days before the effective date, in accordance with Government Code Section 53756(d). Provided, however, for any annual establishment of sewer rates: (1) the District Board may set the rates by resolution in an amount that is equal to or less than the amounts authorized by this Resolution Section 2; and (2) the District Board may delay the effective date of an annual increase as long as the amount of the increase does not exceed the authorized amount of rates set forth on Exhibit “A.” The sewer rates shall not be set in an amount that exceeds those set forth in this Resolution Section 2 unless the District Board first conducts a noticed public hearing in accordance with the requirements of law including Proposition 218.
SECTION 3: Any delinquent payment of a sewer rate that is owed under this Ordinance shall constitute a lien upon the real property served, in accordance with Government Code Section 54354.5.
SECTION 4: If any section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The Board hereby declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance, and each section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subdivisions, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions thereof be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 5: The Assistant Secretary shall certify the adoption of this Ordinance and publish it in the manner required by law.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED ________ __, 2025.
________________________________
Chairman
Attested to on _____________________
Assistant Secretary
I, Carrie Weal, Assistant Secretary of the Camarillo Sanitary District, certify CSD Ordinance No. ____was introduced by the Camarillo Sanitary District at a regular meeting held ________ __, 2025, and adopted by the Camarillo Sanitary District at a regular meeting held ________ __, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES: Directors:
NOES: Directors:
ABSENT: Directors:
________________________________
Assistant Secretary
c: Finance (2)
Customer Service Supervisor (5)
Public Works (2)
EXHIBIT A
SEWER RATES AND CHARGES
Section 7001 of Chapter VII of the Camarillo Sanitary District’s Operations Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
“RATES AND CHARGES. The rates and charges of the District are as follows:
I. RESIDENTIAL
A. Monthly Service Charges
Residential Class Effective July
1, 2025
Effective July
1, 2026
Effective July
1, 2027
Effective July
1, 2028
Single Family Residential $86.19 $99.99 $115.99 $134.55 Multi-Family Residential $59.63 $69.18 $80.25 $93.09
Duplex $59.63 $69.18 $80.25 $93.09
Triplex $59.63 $69.18 $80.25 $93.09
Condos/Cluster Housing $59.63 $69.18 $80.25 $93.09
Mobile Home Parks $33.55 $38.92 $45.15 $52.38
Age Restricted* $33.55 $38.92 $45.15 $52.38
Qualifying Low-Income
Senior** $33.55 $38.92 $45.15 $52.38
* Dwelling units that are deed restricted to only allow occupants to be 55 years or older.
** The Qualified Low-Income Senior Rate is available only to those persons who meet the qualifications set forth in the resolution of the City of Camarillo establishing water service charges and a Senior Qualifying Rate. The Qualified Low-Income Senior Rate is also available to those qualified persons who are served by a domestic water purveyor other than the City of Camarillo provided that such water purveyor agrees to make available, without cost to the Camarillo Sanitary District, monthly water consumption figures of the account seeking the Qualified Low Income Senior Rate so that the District can determine that the residents meet the qualifications required for the continued granting of the Qualified Low- Income Senior Rate.
II. NON-RESIDENTIAL
A. Monthly Service Charges
Meter Size Effective July
1, 2025
Effective July
1, 2026
Effective July
1, 2027
Effective July
1, 2028
3/4" $50.29 $58.34 $67.68 $78.51
1" $109.31 $126.80 $147.09 $170.63
1 1/2" $207.76 $241.01 $279.58 $324.32
2" $325.85 $377.99 $438.47 $508.63
3" $601.37 $697.59 $809.21 $938.69
4" $601.37 $697.59 $809.21 $938.69
6" $601.37 $697.59 $809.21 $938.69
8" $601.37 $697.59 $809.21 $938.69
B. Commodity Charges
Commodity Rate (based on Strength
Ratings: Per hundred cubic foot of
water consumption per month)
Effective July
1, 2025
(Rate per
HCF)
Effective July
1, 2026
(Rate per
HCF)
Effective July
1, 2027
(Rate per
HCF)
Effective July
1, 2028
(Rate per
HCF)
Low Strength Commercial Uses
Including:
Barber/Beauty Shop
Department Retail Store
General Commercial
Laundry & Dry Cleaners
Professional Office
Office Building
Warehouse
Airport
$6.32 $7.34 $8.52 $9.89
Medium Strength Commercial Uses
Including:
Auto Repair/Auto Sales
Bar without dining facility
Bowling Alley
Car Wash
Hotel without dining facility
Laundromat
Service Station
Shopping Center
$7.77 $9.02 $10.47 $12.15
High Strength Commercial Uses
Including:
Bakery
Bakery with deli
Hotel with dining facility
Restaurant
Bar with dining facility
$9.05 $10.50 $12.18 $14.13
Other Uses Including:
Church/School
Hospital/Convalescent
Public/City
$6.32 $7.34 $8.52 $9.89
Industrial $9.05 $10.50 $12.18 $14.13
III. TRUST DEPOSITS
A. All sewer customers will be required to place a trust deposit with the District in order to establish sewer service as follows:
Customer Class Trust Deposit
Individually Metered Residential $25.00
Individually Metered Condos $20.00 per living unit
Duplex/Triplex $15.00 per living unit
Master Metered Multi-Family $15.00 per living unit
Mobile Homes $15.00 per living unit
Qualified Low-Income Senior Based on amount for non-discounted Customer Class as shown above
Commercial/Industrial 1.25 times the expected monthly bill, rounded to the nearest $5.
B. After 12 months of satisfactory payment history, the deposit will be returned to the customer in the form of a credit to the customer’s account.
C. In the event that the customer discontinues service, the deposit will be used toward any outstanding balance on the account and any remaining portion of the deposit will be returned to the customer.
C. In the event of discontinuance of service for non-payment or in the event of a habitually delinquent account, the Director of Finance may require a deposit of up to two times the average monthly bill.”
EXHIBIT B
DISTRICT’S SERVICE AREA