Utilities staff presented rate scenarios to support capital projects and rising wholesale/transmission costs: water adjustments tied to a Water Treatment Facility project and electric bills proposed to rise via an 8% monthly billing increase to offset transmission and wholesale power cost pressures.

City staff recommended Option 1D, phasing a base-rate increase over two years (no volumetric increases in the five-year window) to stabilize utility revenue and help the city reach water independence by 2030; council asked staff to tighten assistance eligibility and outreach and return with formal documents on May 11.

Following weeks of outreach and a Prop 218 notice period, the council voted to adopt staff’s phased sewer rate proposal to address deferred maintenance and plant upgrades. The city clerk reported 1,186 valid protests (far below the defeat threshold); the measure passed with Vice Mayor Core and Council Member Weir voting no.