The Idyllwild Water District (IWD) Board of Directors voted for new rates last Wednesday following a third water rate study presentation in a special meeting.

Bartle Wells Associates’ Michael DeGroot gave the final presentation before public review to the board in public session. For water rates, he provided statistics on an 8% increase in rates. The 8% rate increase would be for each year beginning fiscal year (FY) 2023-24 through FY 2027-28.

After much discussion, it passed 4-1 with Director Steve Olson the no vote. “I voted no because I wanted to see what the impact of a $100,000 decrease in the 2022-2023 (base year) expenses would be before we voted. I expect that I would ultimately have voted yes … but by voting no, I hoped to send a message that I was still unhappy that the rates were computed using an estimate of expenses that I believe is higher than it should be. I am hoping that before we submit the final rates, I will have that answer,” said Olson later.

As an example of the rate increases, a 4-centum cubic foot (CCF) customer currently with a $49.95 monthly bill will see that increase to $87.26 by FY 2027-28. One CCF is equal to 748 gallons. A 9CCF customer currently with a $105.93 monthly bill will see that increase to $146.69 by FY 2027-28.

McGroot also presented scenarios for the sewer rates. Option 2, a 15% increase, was voted on first and defeated 2-3 with Olson, Charles Schelly and Steve Kunkle voting no.

Option 1, a 13% increase each year over the next five years, passed 4-1 with Peter Szabadi the lone no vote.

“I do not believe that subject rate was sufficient to cover all the anticipated cost of replacing the wastewater plant,” Szabadi said later.

The next step will be public meetings — Szabadi thinks starting in the next two to three weeks — so the directors and water study agency can explain to the public the needs for the increases and then the public has the right to vote on the increases.

Proposition 218 “established voter approval requirements for general and special taxes and provided the initiative power to voters to reduce or repeal any local tax, assessment, fee or charge.”