Ord. No. 2023-2. ESTABLISHING SEWER SERVICE CHARGES FOR FISCAL YEARS 2023-2024 THROUGH 2027-2028.
ESTABLISHING SEWER SERVICE CHARGES FOR FISCAL YEARS 2023-2024 THROUGH 2027-2028
WHEREAS, the procedures set forth in California Constitution Article XIII D, Section 6 for property-related fees, enacted by Proposition 218, apply to sewer service charge increases; and
WHEREAS, a sewer service charge is a property-related fee for each parcel's attributable use of the sanitary sewer collection and treatment systems in the City ("Sewer Service Charge"); and
WHEREAS, the City is following the procedures set forth in Article XIII D, Section 6 for the proposed Sewer Service Charge increase; and
WHEREAS, notice of the proposed Sewer Service Charge increase was mailed to ratepayers and property owners on April 13, 2023, 53 days prior to the scheduled public hearing on the proposed increase; and
WHEREAS, on June 5, 2023, a public hearing was held at 7:00 p.m. in the San Mateo City Hall Council Chambers, located at 330 West 20th Avenue, San Mateo regarding the proposed Sewer Service Charge increase, at which all protests against the rate increase and other comments were considered; and
WHEREAS, following the public hearing, it was determined that a majority protest did not exist; and
WHEREAS, San Mateo Municipal Code section 3.54.030 provides that the City Council shall establish the Sewer Service Charge by ordinance.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MATEO ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.
In accordance with California Constitution Article XIII D, Section 6, the City Council finds that:
(a) The revenues derived from the Sewer Service Charge do not exceed the funds required to provide sewer service because the rate increase is needed to fund ongoing sewer system operation and maintenance and meet capital expenditures.
(b) The revenues derived from the Sewer Service Charge will not be used for any purpose other than the provision of sewer service.
(c) The Sewer Service Charge will not exceed the cost of sewer service attributable to each parcel.
(d) The Sewer Service Charge is only charged for sewer service that is actually used by or currently available to the parcel in question.
(e) The Sewer Service Charge pays for the provision of sewer service and not for general governmental services.
Section 2.
Pursuant to San Mateo Municipal Code section 3.54.030, the maximum sewer service charge for Fiscal Years 2023-2024 through 2027-2028 is established as follows:
| Effective Date | ||||||
| Current Rate | Aug 1 2023 | July 1 2024 | July 1 2025 | July 1 2026 | July 1 2027 | |
| Residential | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Monthly Charge (Charge per dwelling unit) | ||||||
| $60.14 | $61.94 | $63.80 | $65.71 | $67.68 | $69.71 | |
| Sewer Usage Charge (Rate per hundred cubic feet ($/CCF) of annualized average monthly winter water use) | ||||||
| Class A Residential | $11.80 | $12.15 | $12.51 | $12.89 | $13.28 | $13.68 |
| Commercial | ||||||
| Sewer Usage Charge (Rate per hundred cubic feet ($/CCF) of annualized average monthly winter water use) | ||||||
| Class B Standard Strength | $23.60 | $24.31 | $25.04 | $25.79 | $26.56 | $27.36 |
| Class C Moderate Strength | $31.00 | $31.93 | $32.89 | $33.88 | $34.90 | $35.95 |
| Class D High Strength | $42.04 | $43.30 | $44.60 | $45.94 | $47.32 | $48.74 |
| Class E | A limited number of accounts are billed on a case-by-case basis based on sewer rates in effect. | |||||
| Minimum Monthly Charge (Commercial bills are subject to the minimum monthly charge) | ||||||
| $60.14 | $61.94 | $63.80 | $65.71 | $67.68 | $69.71 | |
Section 3.
Pursuant to San Mateo County requirements, the City Council authorizes collection of the Sewer Service Charge, which shall be billed on the real property tax rolls for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 through 2027-2028, with the actual total to be updated for the County rolls when the calculation process is completed each year.
Section 4. Environmental Determination.
In accordance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, section 15378(b)(4), introduction and adoption of this Ordinance is not a project subject to CEQA because the Sewer Service Charge is a funding mechanism for the City sewer operations and capital projects which does not involve any commitment to any specific project that may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment.
Section 5. Severability.
In the event any section, clause or provision of this ordinance shall be determined invalid or unconstitutional, such section, clause or provision shall be deemed severable and all other sections or portions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 6. Publication.
This Ordinance shall be published in summary in a newspaper of general circulation, posted in the City Clerk's Office, and posted on the City's website, all in accord with Section 2.15 of the City Charter.
Section 7. Legislative History and Effective Date.
This ordinance was introduced on June 5, 2023, and adopted on June 20, 2023, and shall be effective 30 days after its adoption.
The foregoing ordinance was adopted by the City Council of the City of San Mateo, State of California by the following vote:
| AYES | Council Members Lee, Diaz Nash, Hedges, Loraine and Newsom |
|---|---|
| NOES | None |
| ABSENT | None |
ATTEST:
