Somerton sets public hearing for proposed utility rate increases

SOMERTON – Residents will get a chance Dec. 4 to say what they think of a proposal to hike sewer and water rates.

The Somerton City Council scheduled that date for a public hearing on the proposal. Once residents have spoken, the council may vote at the same meeting about whether to approve the increases.

Scheduling the hearing is the first step the city was required to take as part of the legal process for raising utility rates.

A consultant to the city has recommended increasing the water rate paid by Somerton residents over a five-year period from $11.50 per 5,000 gallons of water to $15.91. It is also recommending a five-year incremental increase in the monthly sewer charge from $38.50 to $46.86.

The increases are necessary, Willdan Financial Services said in its study, to fully cover the city’s cost of providing water and sewer service. At present, the city uses money from the general fund to subsidize those services.

“We don’t have another option,” Mayor Jose Yepez said. “We have held down rates with some savings and with the solar panel projects, but the costs of operation and the losses have grown, and now they are being subsidized with other funds.”

The city has installed solar panels on various building as a means to reduce its electrical costs in providing water and sewer service.

The increases would also improve the city’s rating if and when it issues up to $2.25 million in bonds to finance

repairs and upgrades to its water distribution and sewer systems, city officials said.

The hikes will take effect in January if the council approves them at the Dec. 4 meeting.

The notice of intent and the Willdan rate study can be seen on the city’s website, http://www.cityofsomerton.com.