A water and sewer rate increase has been proposed for the city of Guadalupe. Leaders cite current rates as insufficient to meet the costs of operating the system, debt obligations, and financing for needed upgrades for the present and future of an aging system.
The city’s water and wastewater systems run the risk of deterioration without additional funds, according to a city notice.
Both water and sewer rates will increase by 5 percent each if the proposal succeeds.
At a public hearing on April 26, the City Council voted 4-1 in favor of the ordinance, with Mayor Lupe Alvarez dissenting. He said the city should provide the public more information on the fee increases. Leaders decided to give residents another chance to express their opinions and allow more time to gather information, so the city will hold another open house to answer any questions regarding the proposed water and sewer rate increase on May 9 from 4 to 8 p.m.
The proposed increase will go before the City Council again on May 10.
According to Proposition 18, if a majority of the recorded owners of property submit written protests to the proposed increases, the city can’t enact them. If the new service rates are ultimately approved, property owners will see the increase in the late summer and fall of 2011.
For more information on the proposal, contact Guadalupe’s Administration Department at 356-3891.
This article appears in May 5-12, 2011.