Fountain Valley Council Makes Move to Ease the Raising of Water Rates

The City Council has moved a step closer to increasing local water rates with the adoption of a new amendment changing the way such rates are raised.

On Tuesday night, the council voted to change water rates by means of a resolution, instead of an ordinance. A resolution can take effect in 30 days, compared to 90 days for ordinances, city officials said.

Elizabeth Fox, the city’s fiscal services manager, said the council probably would consider an increase in water rates at the beginning of the year. Rates have not been increased since 1985.

“At the current time, the operating costs of the water fund are exceeding the revenue,” Fox said. “So some changes will probably have to be made.”

Fox said the amendment was part of the council’s effort to update many of the city’s 25-year-old codes.

“This just makes it a lot easier to modify and change the codes,” Fox said.