COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

 

DATE:

July 1, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

July 22, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

Complied with Publication Requirements

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

James C. Porter, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Executive Summary - Sewer Service Charges for FY 2008-09 for the Ten (10) County Governed Sewer/Sanitation Districts

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Acting as the governing board of the ten (10) County Sewer/Sanitation Districts (Districts):

 

1.

Adopt an ordinance setting the FY 2008-09 sewer service rates for the Districts.

 

2.

Hold a public hearing on (1) increasing the sewer service rate for the Burlingame Hills Sewer Maintenance District (BHSMD) and (2) imposing the Sewer Service Charges for all ten districts, calculated on the basis of the adopted sewer service rates.

   

3.

After considering written and oral comments, determine whether there is a majority protest in the BHSMD.

 

4.

If there is a majority protest in the BHSMD, adopt a resolution setting the FY 2008-2009 sewer service rates and charges for the BHSMD based on the sewer service rate in affect for FY 2007-08, and direct staff to recalculate the Sewer Service Charges for the BHSMD.

 

5.

Adopt a resolution imposing the FY 2008-09 Sewer Service Charges based on the adopted sewer service rates.

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety for all residents and visitors.

 

The sewer service charges provide funding for the Districts to operate and maintain the sewer systems, which serve portions of the unincorporated area and some neighboring city areas.

 

BACKGROUND

PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION

Adopted Resolution No. 069483 on June 3, 2008, (1) setting the time and place for a public hearing to consider the sewer service rate increase for FY 2008-09 for the BHSMD, and for the Sewer Service Charges Report for FY 2008-09 for the ten (10) Sewer/Sanitation Districts governed by your Board, and (2) directing the Director of Public Works to send notices of the proposed rate to each property owner in the BHSMD.

 

DISCUSSION

Ordinance No. 04382, adopted on August 7, 2007, established the sewer service rates for the BHSMD and the Crystal Springs County Sanitation District (CSCSD) for FY 2007-08, and set rates for the other eight (8) districts for FY 2007-08 and subsequent four years. At your direction, the Department has been meeting with representatives from the BHSMD and the CSCSD during the last fiscal year to determine future sewer service rates. Based on the meetings and uncertainties about issues that will affect the district’s financing, it is recommended that sewer service rates be set for one year (FY 2008-09) for both districts while the Department continues to meet with the representatives to determine future sewer service rates.

 

A resolution has been approved as to form by County Counsel, and an alternate form of resolution will be provided if there is a majority protest in the BHSMD, or if your Board determines to reduce sewer service rates in the BHSMD if there is no majority protest.

 

FISCAL IMPACT

The adoption of the FY 2008-09 Sewer Service Charges Report will result in the charges being placed on the FY 2008-09 tax bill of each affected property and will be collected in the same manner as the property tax.

 

There is no direct impact to the General Fund.