LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Board of Supervisors, sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District (LACOSAN), took no action Tuesday regarding a proposed rate increase on the Southeast Regional Wastewater System (SRWS). The board took no action in order to further research funding options including possible financial participation by the City of Clearlake.
The proposed increase is $11.13 per month. While the board took no action, Tuesday”s session served as a Proposition 218 protest hearing, which requires that certain types of property related fees be subject to a “majority protest” process. Sixty-two letters of protest were received, which does not meet the two-thirds requirement for defeat of the proposed rate increase.
The purpose of the proposed rate increase is to provide funds for operation and maintenance of the system and fund sewer collection system improvements. The primary concern with the system at present is the need for capital project improvements to address chronic spills in the Highlands Harbor and Meadowbrook Drive areas.
Capital improvements proposed include the installation of a new pump station and dedicated 12-inch force main that will run directly to the SRWS treatment plant. According to Special Districts Director Mark Dellinger diverting wastewater out of the Meadowbrook Drive area and pumping it directly to the treatment plant will remove hydraulic loading on the other portions of the collection system and thereby further protect the entire community”s public health and safety and the water quality of Clear Lake.
Dellinger said implementing a capital project as soon as possible is crucial. “The more we stretch this out the more it is going to cost,” he said. “We are trying to take advantage of a good construction climate this spring.”
The proposal represents a 39 to 40 percent rate increase for residential users. While the board agreed that the proposal presents a burdensome increase it is necessitated by inaction by past boards and sanitation district management. According to Dellinger, the majority of the system is more than 30 years old and has endured little or no maintenance.
“At some point, the board up here has to make those tough decisions,” Board member Rob Brown said. “The board won”t be here in 30 years because we are willing to make the tough decisions right now.”
Board member Jeff Smith agreed with Brown. He said keeping the rates down put the district in the situation that is in right now. “Rob hit the nail on the head,” he said. “If this would have done in the first place, we wouldn”t be here right now.”
According to Dellinger the sanitation district plans to utilize bond proceeds for the improvements in the Highlands Harbor/Meadowbrook Drive area, which he said will eliminate existing capacity deficiencies. He said to keep the rate increase as minimal as possible the district will utilize $1.4 million in capital reserves as local match for the project to minimize the amount of bond financing.
The $11.13 monthly increase includes a $4.16 bond payment. Additionally, the project requires the securing of a loan. Dellinger said in 2016 when the loan is repaid, consumers will see a $5.25 decrease in their monthly bills.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
