Belmont City Council approves modest sewer rate increase

“These rates are designed to maintain reliable sewer service, fund ongoing operations and maintenance and address the city’s capital improvement needs while keeping increases as low as possible,” Public Works Director Edric Kwan said during a recent Belmont City Council meeting.

The new rate schedule also eliminates the Drought Regulation Adjustment, a 2016 surcharge to offset declining water use during the drought, a staff report added.

Councilmember Tom McCune said he preferred to “spread the [rate increase] all out just to have less of an impact on families,” though Vice Mayor Cathy Jordan said she wanted to stave off any increases while the city can still do so.

“The economy may be better, and right now prices are high as it is, so if we can give a break and not have even the 1% increase for the next two years, maybe that helps our residents a little bit,” Jordan said during the City Council meeting.

Currently, the average monthly bill based on 800 cubic feet is $146.43, according to the staff presentation. The council voted to spread the increase out by 1% each year for the next couple fiscal years.

The rate increase is subject to Proposition 218, meaning property owners will receive mailed notices of the hearing and can submit written protests. If more than half of property owners protest, the city cannot impose the new rates.

The next hearing will be held in June.