Notice is hereby given that the Lakeside Water District Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on June 27, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as may practicably be heard, at its offices located at 10375 Vine Street, Lakeside, CA 92040. The purpose of the hearing is to present information concerning Meter Service Charge increases and to hear objections, protests or comments from the public about proposed and recommended water Meter Charges as specified below. A Meter Service Charge is a standard charge applied to all customers regardless of how much water is used. It is based on the size of the meter that provides the water service. The Meter Charge is to recover costs for customer service, meter readings, repair and replacement of meters, services, valves, meter boxes, as well as costs associated with maintaining, repairing, and upgrading the fire hydrants as permitted by Government Code 53750.5, among other costs related to the provision of water service. Following the hearing, the Board will consider adopting 5 increases in rates and fees for water services over a 5-year period starting September 1st, specifically the “Meter Service Charges”. Refer to your water bill for your meter size.
The projected bi-monthly (every two months) “Meter Service Charge” increase is as follows:
| Meter Size | Current Meter Charge 2023 | Starting 9/1/23 Meter Charge 2024 | Meter Charge 2025 | Meter Charge 2026 | Meter Charge 2027 | Meter Charge 2028 |
| 5/8″ | $ 15.87 | $ 19.84 | $ 24.80 | $ 31.00 | $ 38.75 | $ 48.43 |
| 3/4″ | $ 19.50 | $ 24.38 | $ 30.47 | $ 38.09 | $ 47.61 | $ 59.51 |
| 1″ | $ 26.71 | $ 33.39 | $ 41.73 | $ 52.17 | $ 65.21 | $ 81.51 |
| 1 1/2″ | $ 39.02 | $ 48.78 | $ 60.97 | $ 76.21 | $ 95.26 | $ 119.08 |
| 2″ | $ 69.30 | $ 86.63 | $ 108.28 | $ 135.35 | $ 169.19 | $ 211.49 |
| 3″ | $114.72 | $ 143.40 | $ 179.25 | $ 224.06 | $ 280.08 | $ 350.10 |
| 4″ | $158.70 | $ 198.38 | $ 247.97 | $ 309.96 | $ 387.45 | $ 484.31 |
| 6″ | $194.81 | $ 243.51 | $ 304.39 | $ 380.49 | $ 475.61 | $ 594.51 |
| Det | $ 28.83 | $ 36.04 | $ 45.05 | $ 56.31 | $ 70.39 | $ 87.98 |
| *Const. | $ 79.35 | $ 99.19 | $ 123.98 | $ 154.98 | $ 193.73 | $ 242.16 |
The proposed Meter Service Charge increase is necessary due to increasing expenses due to post-pandemic inflationary pressures, the District’s projected Capital Improvement Projects, the District’s 100-year Asset Management Plan, and to avoid operational deficits and depletion of reserves due to persistent budget deficits. A Water Rate Cost of Service Study, completed March 2023, is the basis for the proposed rate increase. It can be reviewed at the district’s website at LakesideWater.org. The 5-year increase plan from 2023-2028 starting September 1, 2023 and will allow a smooth transition to funding the budget deficits. By planning for the future, the District can avoid large one-time rate spikes to its customers. Despite the proposed increase plan, the District’s rate and charges will remain among the lowest of retail water agencies in San Diego County.
The projected revenue increase at the end of the first full year will be $214,849. The increase on the second year of $268,561 in 2025, $335,701 in 2026, $419,626 in 2027, and $524,532 in 2028 after 5 years of graduated increases. The chart below reflects the District’s total needs versus the revenue anticipated to provide water services, including the proposed meter service charge increases.
| Fiscal Year | Ops & Maint. + Admin | Water Purchases | Capital Improvement | Total Expenses | Total Revenue | Budget (Deficit)/Surplus |
| 2022/23 | $3,880,984 | $5,667,762 | $2,229,000 | $11,777,746 | $9,740,613 | ($2,037,133) |
| 2023/24 | $4,191,463 | $6,121,183 | $2,305,000 | $12,617,646 | $10,734,711 | ($1,882,935) |
| 2024/25 | $4,359,121 | $6,366,030 | $2,384,000 | $13,109,152 | $11,424,066 | ($1,685,086) |
| 2025/26 | $4,533,486 | $6,620,671 | $1,049,000 | $12,203,158 | $12,197,393 | ($5,765) |
| 2026/27 | $4,714,826 | $6,885,498 | $1,809,000 | $13,409,324 | $13,072,150 | ($337,174) |
| 2027/28 | $4,903,419 | $7,160,918 | $1,959,000 | $14,023,337 | $14,070,019 | $46,682 |
Any customers or property owners within the LWD service area may file a written protest for the proposed rate increases by sending a letter to LWD at 10375 Vine Street, Lakeside CA 92040. A valid protest letter must include your name, the address at which you receive service from LWD, a statement of protest and your original signature. Protest letters received by June 27, 2023 will be tabulated and presented to the Board of Directors at the public hearing regarding the rate increase to be held on June 27, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in the LWD Board Room, 10375 Vine Street, Lakeside, CA. Any customers or property owners may appear at the hearing to make comments regarding the proposed rates. If you challenge the matter in court, you may be limited to challenging only those issues regarding the manner, method, costs or other matters concerning the basis of the rates which you or someone else raised in your protest at or prior to the public hearing. Letters may be delivered in person at the hearing and must be received prior to the conclusion of September public hearing. If written protests against the proposed charges and fees are not presented by a majority of the property owners or customers of the identified parcels upon which the charges and fees are proposed to be imposed, the Board of Directors will be authorized to adopt the proposed charges and fee increases.