Ratepayers in the South County BEWARE! The "South Bay Irrigation Distric"t may see a 2.5 percent increase in the month of September's water bill... The proposed increase comes after rates last year rose by an almost 5.6 percent, due to a water rate "restructuring" that was taken into effect in order to improve water conservation...
Local newspaper The Star News reported: "The new increase is pretty minimal," said Richard Stevenson, director of finance for Sweetwater Authority. "Most calls we are receiving refer to last year's increase."
Mike Seiler, president of Bonita Highlands Homeowners Association, said residents were not anticipating such a high rate.
"We were expecting a modest increase and we were blindsided by this," he said.
"People began noticing the new rate structure, which emphasizes higher rates for those who use higher amounts of water, this summer," Stevenson said. "Larger lots and landscaping will put higher bills on those customers.""
Sweetwater Authority, administers water rates/services for parts of Chula Vista, all National City & Bonita said they are proposing the increase to lower "readiness to serve" charge rates for lower water use customers, shift capacity cost burden over to medium to high water users and provide strong financial motivation to conserve water. Jose Preciado a board director for the Sweetwater Authority said this "Our proposal is for a 2.5 percent increase associated with some capital construction that we'd like to accomplish this year and an additional rate increase county pass through rate, which will vary depending on water use,".Preciado said the proposed rate increase is necessary but the issue needs to be examined closely.
The meeting to consider another water rate increase is Wednesday, Aug. 24, at 6 p.m. at 505 Garrett Ave. in Chula Vista.
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