1 ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING WATER RATES AND SEWER RATES
COMMENCING EACH JANUARY 1 FROM 2024 THROUGH 2027
WHEREAS, the water and sewer rates as proposed are cost -based and will be used to meet all State and Federal regulatory requirements ; fund renewal and replacement capital; fund operating and maintenance expenses ; and help to maintain prudent financial metrics such as reserve fund balances and debt service coverage ratios; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Maria (“City”) duly gave published advance notice of proposed rates necessary to reflect the fixed and variable costs incurred by the City for the supply, treatment, and distribution of drinking water to City custom ers and the collection and treatment of sewer from City customers; and
WHEREAS, in August 2023, the City mailed to its water and sewer customers the Notice of Proposed Rate Increases to Water and Sewer Rates for 2024 -2027 & Public Hearing - Proposition 218 Notification; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned notice discussed the Public Hearing, outlined majority protest proceedings, and explained how rates are determined so that no customer pays more than the cost to deliver the associated service; and
WHEREAS, on September 27, 2023, the City conducted an advertised Public Workshop to discuss the proposed water and sewer rates; and
WHEREAS, on October 17, 2023 , the City Council held a n advertised Public Hearing on the proposed rates and determined that no majority protest exists; and
WHEREAS, the proposed rates comply with the substantive requirements of Proposition 218; and
WHEREAS, the City has complied with the noticing, public hearing, and majority- protest provisions of Proposition 218 related to the proposed rates.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, State of California, as follows:
SECTION 1. As of January 1, 2024, January 1, 2025, January 1, 2026, and January 1, 2027, water rates and sewer rates shall be updated as described in the Notice of Proposed Rate Increases to Water and Sewer Rates for 2024 -2027 & Public Hearing - Proposition 218 Notification , incorporated herein by reference and on file with the City Clerk’s Office.
2 SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect 30 days after its passage.
Within 15 days following its passage, the City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in accordance with State Law; or when deemed necessary due to the length or complexity of the Ordinance, cause a summary of the Ordinance to be prepared and published at least five days prior to the City Council meeting at which the proposed Ordinance is to be adopted. If a summary is published at least five days prior to the City Council meeting at which the proposed Ordinance is to be adopted, then within 15 days after adoption of the Ordinance the City Clerk shall publish a summary of the Ordinance with the names of those City C ouncil Members voting for and against the Ordinance and shall post a certified copy of the full text of such adopted Ordinance along with the names of those City Council Members voting for and against the Ordinance.
SECTION 3. The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the Interim City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 17th day of October 2023 by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAINED:
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3 ATTEST:
Assistant City Clerk
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
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Department Director
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Interim City Manager