San Juan Capistrano to Look at Water Rates for the Future

Separate from a recent lawsuit challenging the way San Juan Capistrano bills for water, it is just time to revisit the rates.

And so at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, council members are expected to select a new consultant to come up with a new billing plan.

The city received three bids from consultants wanting the work, according to a report to the City Council. Staff is recommending it select Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc., a nationwide concern with offices in Murrietta, for $88,103, which submitted the middle bid of the three.

But because the process to come up with new rates will include public hearings, staff is recommending they approve up to $100,000 for the contract.

Raftelis has done similar rate studies for the cities of Torrance, Brea, Newport Beach, San Clemente and Anaheim, according to the staff report.

The last time the city studied water rates was in 2009-10. In February 2010, the City Council approved a rate schedule that included regular price hikes for four years.

A local group of residents has challenged those rates in court, with a judge agreeing that the current system violates the state Constitution.. The council is appealing that decision.