Ready to Pay More for Water, Sewer and Trash?

The City Council on Tuesday will consider hikes to your water, wastewater and trash bills. In addition, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is asking for more money for its 2013-14 contract.

WATER RATES

As envisioned in a plan approved in February 2010, the cost water will increase by 3 percent on July 1. The 3 percent increase spans across all tiers of water use and types of water users.

Meanwhile, sewer rates will increase between 5.1 and 5.8 percent, depending on the type of user. Residential customers will see a 5.5 percent increase.

The city’s water department has been running in the red, as much as $8 million at one point. According to a staff report, the water operating fund is projected to have a deficit of $3.8 million at the end of 2012-13 and will be down to $2.4 million by the end of 2013-14.

“Revenue from rates is needed to cover costs of services for operations, debt service, capital replacements and necessary reserves,” a report to City Council states.

TRASH RATES

The cost to haul your trash, recyclables and green waste is set to go up as well, 1.5 percent for the base rate and 2.17 percent for the tipping rate. Translated into dollars, the monthly rates will increase between 25 and 33 cents, depending on the size or your bins, and between .06 and .12 on additional bins, depending on their size.

A recent city audit has found these scheduled rate increases to be in line with the contract, a staff report says.

SHERIFF’S CONTRACT

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is seeking a 2.72 percent increase over the cost of police services for 2012-13, or $199,914 more. The city’s budget had anticipated an increase of 2.5 percent.

According to a report to City Council, staffing will remain the same:

• 1 lieutenant
• 5 sergeants
  
• 2 investigators
  
• 19 sheriff’s deputies
  
• 2 community service officers
  
• 1 crime prevention specialist
  

In addition, the city shares 15 other sheriff’s positions with other south county towns.  

“Increased benefit costs, retirement and workers' compensation represent the most significant increases to the contract. Department and division overhead costs also increased slightly,” according to a staff report.