Council Tentatively Approves 5.9% Hike in City Water Rate

The Los Angeles City Council gave tentative approval Tuesday to a 5.9% water rate increase that will add $1.25 to the monthly bill of the average homeowner.

The council approved the rate hike in an 11-2 vote after putting off a decision on the matter twice in recent months because of a dispute over whether the increase is necessary.

The hike is to take effect on April 1 and was requested by Department of Water and Power officials, who said a failure to raise rates this year will mean a double-digit increase next year.

While the bill for a typical homeowner will go up 5.9%--to $22.51 from $21.26--rates overall will go up an average of 6.5%, DWP officials said. The average homeowner is described as one who uses 1,800 cubic feet of water each month.

Other customers, such as publicly owned grounds and municipally sponsored agriculture and drainage facilities, will be charged higher rates than homeowners.

Rate increase proposals generally get a smooth ride through the City Council, but an unusual public argument erupted last fall between two city agencies, causing the council to balk at approving the proposal.

DWP analysts contended that the 6.5% increase was essential, but the city administrative office looked over the department’s financial data and pronounced the rate hike unnecessary. Unable to sort out the figures, council members asked the analysts from both departments to reach a consensus and return with it this month.

In the agreement presented to the council Tuesday, the rate increase will take effect in April. The DWP had originally asked that the increase take effect last October. The delay saved ratepayers $10 million, according to officials of the city administrative office.

Duane Georgeson, assistant general manager of DWP, said Tuesday that the department was satisfied with the outcome and that savings in capital construction programs made the increase less urgent than was thought six months ago.

“We’re not spending quite as much money as we anticipated,” Georgeson said.

But some council members remained dissatisfied.

“I’m not convinced they needed it right now,” said Councilman Hal Bernson, who voted against the increase. “I think they just massaged it a little bit to make it sound like they were going to save the ratepayers a lot of money. It’s still an increase, no matter how you slice it.”

Bernson said he is skeptical of the predictions for double-digit increases next year if none was approved this year.

“They may very well need a larger increase next year,” Bernson said. “If they can prove to me they’re going to need that increase, I’ll be able to vote for it. Right now I wasn’t convinced they did.”

Councilman Ernani Bernardi also voted against the increase. Councilmen Michael Woo and Gilbert Lindsay were absent.

The increase proposal returns to the council for final approval next week.