WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The City of West Sacramento (referred to in this article as “the City”) has begun the process of getting the community involved in a rate study for water, wastewater (sewer) and solid waste (trash, recycling, green waste) services. Due to the rising cost of inflation, the City faces an increase in the cost to provide these services while complying with the ever increasing regulatory requirements.

To date, the City has hosted a webinar and two open houses to educate the public and gather survey information. Set up as stations for each significant topic, city workers were ready and willing to explain any question the community might have while attending the Open House. First, there was a video on how rates are set under California law. From there you could speak with those in charge of Water and Wastewater Services, Solid Waste Services, Rate Modeling, Billing and Finance and Tip to Lower Your Bill.

Each station had visual aids and giveaways that were fun and useful. Information at the stations included the following:

Water and Wastewater Services
The City’s Public Works Department is responsible for the city’s road, water, wastewater, storm drain, facilities, fleet, and equipment maintenance. Public Works also operates and maintains the City’s George Kristoff Water Treatment Plant.

Solid Waste Services 
The City partners with Waste Management to provide trash, recycling, and organics services to residents, and trash and recycling to businesses. The Environmental Services and Sustainability Division promotes recycling, water conservation, and stormwater protection. This division helps residents and businesses make sustainable decisions; and provides resources for conservation, education, and environmental stewardship. 

Rate Modeling 
Performed regularly, utility rate studies provide transparency into what the City can expect in the years ahead and ensure it has the financial resources to maintain the infrastructure, manage system capacity for growth, implement new technologies, address existing and new state and federal regulations, and implement the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Rates studies evaluate the costs to provide services and determines the appropriate rates to be charged to ensure that those costs are recovered in a fair and reasonable manner. A rate design is the structure of rates charged to customers, including the types of charges (such as fixed fees or variable charges), and the levels of those charges.

Billing and Finance 
The Utility Billing Division of the Finance Department provides customer account service to well over 15,000 accounts for water, wastewater, and solid waste services. For individuals and families experiencing financial hardship, ask us about payment assistance options. With the LIHWAP program, if you own and live in your home and your household income is at or below 60% of the state median income, or if your household receives CalFresh, CalWORKs or LIHEAP benefits you may be eligible for a one-time credit of up to $15,000 credit on your water and wastewater bills. For more information visit wsac.city/LIHWAP.

 Tips to Lower Your Bill
The City has a number of resources available to help residents and businesses reduce water consumption. Here you could also receive helpful booklets including A Homeowner’s Guide to a Water Smart Landscape a Practical Plumbing Handbook and valuable information on programs to make changes at little to no cost for those who qualify.

 So, why is the City doing the study? Typically a rate study is done every three to five years. The last rate study in West Sacramento was in 2017. The City gathers information on the needs and wants and the costs incurred to provide the services. The utilities (or City) is not allowed to make a profit through rates charged. Each utility is self-funded, and its expenses and revenues must be equal.

 The rate study will occur over the next several months. Updated information will likely be included in your bills, but the public is encouraged to follow the rates study process and learn more about the three services and how the rates are determined. For ongoing information follow wsac.city/utility-rates. This is your chance to explain to the city how the rates may affect you. When the study is complete, a public hearing will be held, in which no less than 51% of the votes must be in favor of the rate change in order for it to pass. If it does not pass, the City will have to make choices regarding services that will be available.

 If you have any questions regarding your garbage pickup, recycling, drinking water, storm water, green waste, hazardous waste, bulky items or what is or isn’t accepted visit www.yolocounty.org/residents/landfill or call (916) 617-4656. This is also where you can schedule an appointment-based collection of hazardous waste. For any questions about curbside pickup, or to request a Residential Recycling and Trash Service Brochure, please call Waste Management at (866) 844-1508