OXNARD : Council Takes Steps to Raise Utility Rates

Oxnard’s utility rates would go up by an average of about 14% in July under a schedule that received preliminary approval from the City Council Tuesday.

The average monthly water rate would rise by 15% from $15.51 to 17.83; the average sewer rate by 15.7% from $15.02 to $17.38, and the average trash-collection rate by 10.2% from $14.20 to $15.64. The combined average utility bill would go from $44.73 to $50.85, or 13.7%.

The council must approve the rates during upcoming budget hearings for them to become effective at the beginning of the fiscal year, July 1.

While water and trash rates would remain near the county average with the increases, sewer rates would be 55% higher than the county average, city officials said.

The sewer rates are being raised to pay for an annual increase in bond payments due on Oxnard’s sewer plant. The trash rate increase accounts for higher landfill fees and the cost of the city’s curbside recycling program.

The water fees are going up to pay for the higher rates being charged by the city’s water supplier, to fund the city’s water conservation program and to offset revenue loss from the reduction in water use due to the rationing program, Public Works Director James Frandsen said.