COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

July 2, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

July 15, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Neil R. Cullen, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Adoption of the 2003-2004 Sewer Service Charges Report for County Sewer Maintenance and Sanitation Districts

Recommendation

Acting as the governing board of the nine (9) County Sewer Maintenance/Sanitation Districts, and after conducting a public hearing, adopt a resolution adopting the 2003/2004 Sewer Service Charges Report for County Sewer Maintenance and Sanitation Districts and directing its filing with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors.

Previous Board Action

1.

Adopted Ordinance No. 04050 on June 26, 2001, establishing the current sewer service charge base rates.

2.

Set Tuesday, July 15, 2003, at 9:00 a.m. in your Chambers as the time and place of a public hearing on the individual sewer service charges for Fiscal Year 2003-2004.

Key Facts

The San Mateo County Ordinance Code requires that sewer service charges in County sewer maintenance and sanitation districts be collected on the tax roll. To accomplish this, your Board must take the following three actions before August 10, 2003:

1.

Adopt a resolution setting a time and place for a public hearing to consider the individual sewer service charges set forth in the 2003/2004 Sewer Service Charges Report.

2.

Hold the public hearing and receive testimony.

3.

Adopt a resolution adopting the 2003/2004 Sewer Service Charges Report.

The recommended action, adoption of a resolution adopting the 2003/2004 Sewer Service Charges Report, is the third and final step in the process and will result in the collection of the Sewer Service Charges on the tax roll.

Discussion

Your Board is the governing board for nine (9) sewer or sanitation districts. These districts provide sanitary sewage collection, transport, treatment and disposal services as well as ancillary field and office services to over 12,000 residences, businesses, schools, and institutions in San Mateo County. Virtually all of the revenue to provide these services is generated from each district's user fee; the sewer service charge. The 2003/2004 Sewer Service Charges Report contains the individual charge for each parcel of real property receiving sewer service in these nine (9) districts. We used the following adopted Sewer Service Charge rates to calculate the 2003/2004 charges:

Sewer Maintenance Districts

County Sanitation Districts

Burlingame Hills -

$571

Crystal Springs

$440

Emerald Lake Heights -

Devonshire

$358

Old District

$416

Scenic Heights

$323

New District

$304

Fair Oaks

$227

Harbor Industrial

$231

Kensington Square

$311

Oak Knoll

$351

The annual sewer service charge for a residential structure is calculated by multiplying the sewer service charge by one (1). Multi-family residential structures up to four (4) units are calculated in a similar manner (i.e., duplex is calculated by multiplying the sewer service charge rate by two (2); triplex by three (3), etc.). Larger multi-family structures are calculated by a formula based on the number of living units and commercial/industrial property charges are calculated using water consumption data.

The purpose of the public hearing on this report is to allow your Board to hear and consider any and all objections or protests to the amount of the individual charges. After the close of the hearing, your Board may adopt the charges as presented or modify any charges in the report or overrule any or all objections.

Vision Alignment

We believe our recommendation is consistent with the Shared Vision Commitments to "ensure basic health and safety for all" and to be a "responsive, effective and collaborative government;" and Goal Number 7, "maintain and enhance the public safety for all residents and visitors," as approving sewer rates shall result in providing effective sanitary sewer service to residents and commercial businesses located in nine (9) County operated sanitary sewer districts in unincorporated areas of the County.

Fiscal Impact

Adoption of the Sewer Service Charges Report will result in the continuation of the existing Sewer Service Charge base rates for 2003/2004. There is no impact on the General Fund.

A form of resolution adopting charges also allows the Director of Public Works to refund any overcharge resulted from data, data entry or computation errors; and a form of resolution has been approved by County Counsel.