Notice of Public
Hearing on Proposed
Water Rates
Estero Municipal
Improvement District
Monday, June 3, 2024
6:30 P.M.
SAID HEARING will be held as a hybrid meeting
in-person and by teleconference/video confer-
ence, subject to appropriate regulations. The
meeting address is 620 Foster City Boulevard,
Foster City, CA 94404. Final meeting location(s)
and teleconference/video conference information
will be listed on the published agenda.
The public may participate by submitting com-
ments via email to [email protected]
or by providing live verbal public comment by
joining the meeting via teleconference and/or
video conference, or in person. Instructions on
how to join the meeting are included in the top
portion of the agenda posted at:
www.fostercity.org/agendasandminutes.
Rate Assistance Program
The District may be able to offer Rate Assistance
discounts to qualifying customers. To learn more or to
apply, visit: www.fostercity.org/wwrap.
Water Conservation Tips
Water is a precious resource! Thank you for taking steps to save water and lower your monthly bill.
• Switch from lawn to drought-tolerant landscape.
• Turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth.
• Run only full loads in the clothes washer or
dishwasher.
• Fix leaks around your home.
Water Conservation Rebates
Get money to help pay for water-saving changes at your
home or business. For information on water conservation rebate programs, visit www.fostercity.org/rebates.
How Do We Compare?
A survey of communities along the Peninsula indicates
that EMID’s rates are among the lowest, about 26% less
than the average monthly residential water bill.
Questions
If you have questions regarding this notice, please
contact (650) 286-3270 or [email protected].
Estero Municipal Improvement District
610 Foster City Boulevard
Foster City, CA 94404
You are hereby notified, pursuant to Government Code Sec- tion 53759, there is a 120-day statute of limitations for chal- lenging any new, increased, or extended water fee, rate, or charge. As such, that any judicial action or proceeding to attack, review, set aside, void, validate, or annul the District Board’s adoption of the proposed water rates must be com- menced within 120 days of the effective date or of the date of the final passage, adoption, or approval of the ordinance or resolution adopting the water rates.
Exhibit B
Public Hearing Notice
The Estero Municipal Improvement District (EMID) will hold a public hearing to establish new water rates for FY 2024 - 2025 with an increase of 4.5% for fixed water charges and
3.8% for variable water consumption charges for residential Tier 1 rates. As a water customer or owner of record for a property that receives water service, we are informing you that the District Board will hold a public hearing on June 3, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. to consider proposed changes to its cur- rent rates to take effect on July 1, 2024.
Why are new water rates being proposed?
A significant driver for the proposed rate increases is to smooth District rate adjustments due to projected increases in the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) wholesale water rate. The SFPUC, the sole water supplier for the District, projects that its wholesale rate will increase from $5.21 per hundred cubic feet (ccf) in FY 2023 -2024 to $5.55 per ccf in FY 2024 -2025. These increases are includ- ed in the projected rates.
Other adjustments were required to provide necessary reve- nue for the maintenance, operational and capital costs asso- ciated with the water distribution enterprise.
Protest of Proposed Rates
Anyone may appear and be heard on any matter relating to the proposed water rates. Any record owner of a parcel upon which fees are proposed, or any tenant directly responsible for the payment of water service fees (i.e. a customer of record), may submit a written protest to the City Clerk / Dis- trict Secretary at the return address in this notice. Per state law, only one protest per parcel will be counted. A written protest must include: (1) the address or parcel number of the impacted property; (2) a statement that the protest is submit- ted in opposition to increases to the water rate; and (3) the name and original signature of the person submitting the protest. Electronic and verbal protests will not be counted . If the District does not receive written protests against the proposed service charges by a majority of the affected par- cels by the end of the public hearing, then the District is authorized to approve the proposed rates.
Proposed Water Rate Changes
The proposed water rates were calculated to ensure that all customers are paying rates that are proportionate to each customer’s costs of service. The proposed rate revisions that will be considered by the EMID Board are based on a water rate study (“Study”) conducted by Bartle Wells Associates.
The Study is available on the City’s website:
www.fostercity.org/publicworks/page/water -and-wastewater- rates.
Single-Family Residences
Single-family residences with responsibility for indoor (domestic) and outdoor (irrigation) water uses are placed in a tiered rate structure whereby the cost of water increases based on the amount of water used in a bi-monthly billing cycle as follows:
Multi-Family Residences (per living unit)
Multi-family residences with responsibility for indoor water uses are placed in a tiered rate structure whereby the cost of water increases based on the amount of water used in a bi- monthly billing cycle as follows:
Irrigation Customers
Irrigation customers with separate irrigation water meters are provided an individually-prepared water budget based on the square footage of landscaping being watered. Usage
within the water budget allotment will be charged at
$6.60/ccf. Usage over the water budget allotment will be charged $7.80/ccf for every unit of water over the allotment.
Customized reports through the year let customers know
how they are doing in water use.
Commercial Customers and Fire Line
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Note: One (1) CCF = 748 gallons
Fixed Meter Charges
The fixed water meter charge ensures the continued safe delivery of water through the system. The meter ratios are based on meter size in compliance with the American Water Works Association.
Why is There No Public Hearing for Wastewater Rates?
The District Board previously held a public hearing to ap- prove a maximum rate increase of 2% for FY 2024 -2025 to support debt -financing costs associated with the District’s share of expanding the Wastewater Treatment Plant jointly owned with the City of San Mateo. The EMID Board is plan- ning a rate increase of 2% in FY 2024 -2025, which does not require an additional public hearing because it does not exceed the approved increase.
Tier (#ccf) Current Proposed FY 2024-2025
Tier 1—0 to 20 $6.36 $6.60
Tier 2—Over 20 $7.01 $7.33
Tier (#ccf) Current Proposed FY 2024-2025
Tier 1—0 to 10 $6.36 $6.60
Tier 2—Over 10 7.09 7.36
Water Budget Consumption Current Proposed FY 2024-2025
<= 100% $6.36 $6.60
> 100% $7.22 $7.80
Consumption Current Proposed FY 2024-2025
All Usage $6.47 $6.72
Monthly Charge Current
Proposed
FY 2024-2025
Domestic and/or Irrigation Customers
5/8” and 3/4” $27.60 $28.85
1” $46.00 $48.08
1.5” $110.40 $115.40
2” $147.20 $153.87
3” $322.00 $336.58
4” $579.60 $605.85
6” $1,288.00 $1,346.33
8” or greater $2,208.00 $2,308.00
Private Fire Service Protection Meter
5/8” and 3/4” $38.64 $40.39
1” $38.64 $40.39
1.5” $38.64 $40.39
2” $51.61 $53.95
3” $112.61 $117.71
4” $202.86 $212.05
6” $450.71 $471.12
8” or greater $772.80 $807.80