Protest CCWD’s excessive water rate increases in writing by Tuesday July 14 

Following-up on my letter about CCWD's failed leadership,  the  board of directors of CCWD will hold a public hearing on Tuesday July 14 at 7 pm to discuss a possible 12 percent increase in residential water rates. The board will only accept written protests against the proposed rate increase which are delivered by U.S. Mail or in person (no email) and received on or before Tuesday July 14. CCWD's water rates have experienced explosive growth since 1999 and are projected to spike even higher over the next several years (see accompanying chart). Where is all this money going? According to CCWD's proposed budget 2009-2010 budget, the rate increase will be used in part to increase employee salaries by 10 percent and to increase employee retirement contributions by 13 percent. Both increases appear excessive in light of current economic conditions and past rapid growth in CCWD employee salaries and benefits. As elected officials, the CCWD board has a duty to act as good stewards of the public's money. They do not appear to be fullfilling their duty. A sample protest letter is on the next page.

Sample Letter

July 10, 2009   (via U.S. mail)
Board of Directors
Coastside County Water District
766 Main Street
Half Moon Bay, California 94019

Subject: Input for July 14, 2009 Public Hearing on Proposed 12 Percent Rate Increase

Members of the Board of Directors:

As a CCWD customer, I appreciate the opportunity to provide input to the public hearing on the water district’s proposed rate increase.

Since FY 1999, CCWD’s minimum residential water rates have increased from $1.85 per hundred cubic feet (hcf) to a proposed rate of $3.99 per hcf in the coming year. For nearly a decade, CCWD’s residential water rates have risen at a pace that is more than double the rate of consumer price inflation over the same period. According to CCWD’s proposed 2009-2010 budget, the rate increase will be used to increase employee salaries by 10 percent and to increase employee retirement contributions by 13 percent. Both increases appear excessive in light of current economic conditions and past rapid growth in CCWD employee salaries and benefits. As elected officials, the CCWD board has a duty to act as good stewards of the public’s money. I urge you reject the proposed rate increase.

Sincerely,

Kevin J. Lansing Half Moon Bay

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