In September 2015, the Crescenta Valley Water District (CVWD) Board of Directors approved a contract with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. (Raftelis) to evaluate water and wastewater rate structure alternatives. Elements of the rate study included: long term financial stability, equity for all service classes, revenue sensitivity related to water conservation and economic impact on the community. CVWD completed a similar rate study in 2007 that included development of a financial rate model. Adopted water and wastewater rates have been consistent with the 2007 rate study and financial rate model.

The public is encouraged to attend a workshop regarding the water and wastewater rate study held on Tuesday, April 5 at 6 p.m. at CVWD’s Administrative Office located at 2700 Foothill Blvd. The workshop will cover various types of rate structures for both water and wastewater services. The Board is soliciting the public’s input before reaching a final decision to adopt a rate structure. If you are unable to attend but would like to submit comments, please provide your written remarks to the District by April 5 at 4 p.m. Comments may be mailed or dropped off at the main office or sent to rates@cvwd.com. Presentation materials for this public workshop will be posted on the District’s website www.cvwd.com by Friday, April 1 at close of business.

The information from the rate study will be used as a financial model by the Board of Directors to adopt the 2016-17 fiscal year budget, water and wastewater rate structures, and water and wastewater rates.

Extensive work has already been conducted on the 2016-17 fiscal budget. With challenges resulting from decreased revenue due to the state mandated water conservation and the continual need to make investments to improve and replace aging infrastructure, the District has tough choices to make. Many of the increasing costs associated with District expenses are not within the District’s ability to reduce; such as maintenance of an aging delivery system, electricity for water production and distribution and the treatment and disposal of wastewater. Reductions to the proposed 2016-17 fiscal budget have been made in administrative and operations and maintenance expenses totaling $250,000. In addition the District will continue to prudently utilize rate stabilization reserve funds to mitigate customer rate impacts.  Projects for sustaining and improving District facilities, infrastructure and supply reliability have been evaluated and prioritized to maximize the benefits for all of the District’s customers.

The process of getting to a final budget and the development of water and wastewater rates is long and complicated. Customer participation is an integral part of that process. The District and the Board welcomes customer participation at all scheduled public meetings and workshops. A complete list of meetings through the end of June 2016 is as follows:

Tuesday, April 5 – Regularly scheduled board meeting

Public Workshop at 6 p.m. Presentation of Rate Study

Tuesday, April 19 – Regularly scheduled board meeting

Tuesday, April 26 – Special board meeting at 6 p.m.

(Regularly scheduled May 3 board meeting cancelled)

Tuesday, May 17 – Regularly scheduled board meeting

Tuesday, June 7 – Regularly scheduled board meeting

Tuesday, June 21 – Regularly scheduled board meeting

Proposition 218 Public Hearing at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, June 28 – Special Board Meeting

(Consideration of adoption of budget and rates).