Previous Water Rates Processes

2021 Water Rates Process

December 9th, 2021 Board Meeting

At this Board Meeting, District staff presented proposed charges and water rates based on the discussions that occurred over the series of financial workshops during 2021, including a review of proposed water-related rates and charges, a Cost of Service Study, and a review of Water Shortage Emergency Stage Rates. The Board authorized staff to provide formal notice to the community of proposed rate increases. View the formal rate increase notice. 

January 20th, 2022 Informational Meeting

The District held an informational meeting to discuss proposed rate changes. You may view the recording of the meeting on Youtube by using this link.. You may also review the presentation from the January meeting.

February 10th, 2022 Board Meeting

At this meeting, the Board conducted a public hearing on the proposed increases to water rates, water shortage emergency stage rates, fire service line rates, and the miscellaneous fees and charges, including updates to the facilities connection charges. The Board received public comments, and after deliberation voted to adopt the rate proposal. You may view the meeting on YouTube by using this link. You may also view the presentation from the February meeting.

Financial Workshops

In 2021, the District conducted a series of Financial Workshops. 

May 19, 2021: At this workshop, District staff presented the draft Proposed FY 2021/22 and FY 2022/23 Budget to the Board. The Board reviewed forecast revenue, operating expenses, capital improvement program expenditures, staffing levels and labor-related costs, and financial planning scenarios related to water conservation. View the presentation from the May 19, 2021 workshop.

May 27, 2021: This workshop continued the discussion on the District 2-year budget with the focus primarily on capital expenditures and multi-year financial scenarios, including water rates, related to water conservation. View the presentation from the May 27, 2021 workshop.

August 26, 2021: This workshop focused on the District’s financial status, rate setting requirements including a cost-of-service analysis, the allocation between fixed and variable charges, the charges for dedicated fire service lines, water shortage emergency stage rates, and the use of the property tax roll for billing and collecting on delinquent accounts. View the presentation from the August 26 workshop.

September 23, 2021: This workshop included follow-up from the August 26 workshop, continue the discussion regarding the alternative stage rate scenarios and a cost of service analysis, reinstatement of formal collections activities including use of the property tax roll, and use of property tax roll to collect service charges. View the presentation from the September 23 workshop.

October 28, 2021: This workshop focused on the discussion regarding the revenue allocation between the fixed and variable charges, the approaches to revenue adjustments, as well as a review of related data and policy objective considerations. Following Board deliberation, the Board considered a rate increase based on a 6% revenue increase to the fixed service charge and no change to the commodity charge.

As a separate item, this workshop also discussed the transition from at-large to zone-based elections, which is included in the presentation materials along with the financial presentation. View the presentation from the October 28 workshop.


2020 Water Rates Process

In 2020 ACWD completed a new rates process, with the Board ultimately declining to increase water rates. This process also included a series of workshops and Board meetings.

Financial Workshops

August 27, 2020: The District held a financial workshop to start a new rates process to review the allocation between fixed service charges and commodity charges in collecting revenues, the charges for dedicated fire service lines, and to provide an update on the District’s current financial status. View the presentation from the August 20 workshop.

October 22, 2020: The District held a financial  workshop to continue the discussion regarding the District’s current and projected future financial status and potential water rates and charges increase. The workshop was conducted by webinar. Customers were invited to participate virtually to join the discussion and to learn more about the District’s finances, rates and charges, as well as the cost-of-service studies that the District is conducting to guide the rate setting process. View the agenda and presentation from the October 22 workshop. 

Board Meetings:

Following Board deliberation at workshops in August and October, District staff prepared a water rates proposal with a 2 percent increase effective March 1, 2021 and another 2 percent increase effective March 1, 2022. After deliberation in the December 10th Board meeting, the Board determined not to move forward with a rate increase.

Additional Documents

The full report on the water rates proposal from the District's financial consultant is available. The report includes two appendices. 

  1. Appendix A, which is the updated water rate study report prepared by the District's consultant in 2017.
  2. Appendix B is the underlying cost of service study that was prepared by the financial consultant in 2015. 
  3. ACWD Water Rate Update Memorandum Supplement 2017. 

The full report from the District's financial consultant on proposed fees for new developments connecting to the District's water system is also available.