Water rates could rise

Jennifer Kho

COSTA MESA -- Already dealing with increased gas and electricity

rates, city residents are now facing the possibility of the first water

rate increase in more than five years.

The Mesa Consolidated Water District has found itself an estimated

$686,600 short this year because of increased electricity rates,

according to a staff report, and the district board today will consider

raising its rates.

“With the inflation that has occurred since 1995, it’s about time for

us to raise the rates already,” spokeswoman Amanda Gavin said. “But this

proposal is mainly to do with the energy crisis. We’re considering

several options, including adding a possible surcharge of 10 cents per

unit to cover electrical rates or tapping into our reserves.”

The average Costa Mesa resident’s bill, now $54.56, would rise to

$60.76 if the rate hike passes.

The district’s reserve is $9.1 million, 47.9% of its $19-million

budget.

Board President Trudy Ohlig said the district is also considering ways

to cut its budget to accommodate the higher electricity bill.

“We are in the midst of raising rates, but because of the energy

crisis, we asked staff if we could hold off on some items for a year

until energy rates are a bit more stable so our customers are not hit so

hard,” Ohlig said. “We have to figure out how to conserve in our budget

so we can pay for the energy and it won’t reflect so much on the rates.”

Resident Gary Kempinsky said he also thinks the district should do

what it can to keep prices down.

“We need the water, but I think it’s just ridiculous that everything

is going up,” he said. “Maybe [the board] could wait a little while --

maybe 60 days -- and use a little bit of the reserve and see what

happens, as far as energy, before deciding if they need to raise rates.

“People and companies can’t afford to have their electricity, gas and

water bills go up,” he stressed.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. today at the district, 1965 Placentia

Ave., Costa Mesa.

BOX

For information on the possible rate hike, call (949) 631-1205.

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