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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
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Department of Public Works
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DATE:
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April 9, 2009
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BOARD MEETING DATE:
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April 28, 2009
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SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:
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Complied with Required Notification
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VOTE REQUIRED:
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Majority
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TO:
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Honorable Board of Supervisors
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FROM:
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James C. Porter, Director of Public Works
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SUBJECT:
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Executive Summary – Adoption of Proposed Sewer Service Rates for the Ten County Sewer/Sanitation Districts Governed by the Board of Supervisors
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RECOMMENDATION
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Acting as the governing board of the ten (10) County Sewer/Sanitation Districts, adopt an ordinance amending Section 4.32.020 of Chapter 4.32 of Title 4, of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code increasing the FY 2009-10 sewer service rates for the Burlingame Hills Sewer Maintenance District (BHSMD) and the Crystal Springs County Sanitation District (CSCSD).
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VISION ALIGNMENT
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Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.
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Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety for all residents and visitors.
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Increasing the sewer service rates for FY 2009-10 will provide revenue to the BHSMD and CSCSD and allow for uninterrupted service to customers.
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BACKGROUND
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The Board of Supervisors adopted five-year rates for the other eight districts in 2007. However, CSCSD and BHSMD presented majority protests in 2006 and 2007, respectively, which led to the inability to raise rates, and a commitment to meet with a group of representatives from the BHSMD and the CSCSD to explore long-term solutions. Progress has been made, and discussions are ongoing. Therefore, it is appropriate to set the rates for these two districts on a year-to-year basis as we continue to explore strategies that will lead to reasonable long-term rates to address the needs of the districts.
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More recently, your Board adopted Resolution No. 069945 on March 3, 2009, setting 9:00 A.M. on April 28, 2009, in your Chambers as the time and place for a public hearing to consider the sewer service rates for the BHSMD and the CSCSD.
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DISCUSSION
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At your direction, the Department has been meeting with representatives from the BHSMD and the CSCSD during the current fiscal year to determine future sewer service rates. Based on the meetings and uncertainties about issues that will affect the districts’ financing, it is recommended that sewer service rates be set for one year (FY 2009-10) for both districts while the Department continues to meet with the representatives to determine future sewer service rates.
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The process should be as follows:
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1.
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Hold a public hearing and receive testimony on increasing the sewer service rates for FY 2009-10 for the BHSMD and the CSCSD.
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2.
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After considering all written and oral objections to the sewer service rates for BHSMD and CSCSD, close the public hearing and determine if there is a majority protest to the proposed sewer service rates in the BHSMD and the CSCSD.
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3.
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If there is a majority protest in either district, terminate your consideration of imposing a sewer service rate increase in that district and set the sewer service rate for FY 2009-10 at the same sewer service rate in affect for FY 2008-09.
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4.
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If there is not a successful majority protest, adopt the ordinance amending Section 4.32.020 of Chapter 4.32 of Title 4, of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code increasing the FY 2009-10 sewer service rates for the BHSMD and the CSCSD.
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The Ordinance has been approved as to form by County Counsel.
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FISCAL IMPACT
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There is no direct impact to the General Fund.
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