Prop 218 begins Announcing Wastewater Rate Increase coming to Grover Beach

GROVER BEACH, Calif. - Grover Beach city leaders say wastewater rate increases are coming for local residents.

Much of the public has seen this coming.

The city has been indicating a need to raise rates for quite some time now.

And right now, there's an opportunity for residents opposed to a rate increase to make their voices heard.

Demands are growing on the aging wastewater system.  

It was first built in 1965, and it's last overhaul was in the mid-80s.

“This system was put in 85, 86, I believe. It's pretty antiquated. This lift station basically collects all the sewage via gravity being that we're in a hilly area, everything runs downhill to this point and then it gets pumped back the other direction to get to another gravity point. It's all analog,” says Billy Haas, Public Works superintendent.

Grant funding has had to be allocated to several other important community projects recently.

But city leaders say even with full grant funding, they would still need to raise rates to fully fund operations and upgrades.

A series of rate increases are being proposed over the next 5 years.

“We're proposing to increase sewer rates by about $2.28 per month for year one, rising up to about $16 more a month by year five in order to make sure our sewer system works for our community today and for tomorrow,” says Matthew Bronson, Grover Beach city manager.

Additionally, some crucial street repairs are ready to start, but the city wants to fully update the wastewater system beneath them first so they're not cutting into the fresh pavement for the sewage upgrades.

“Last year they told us they were going to repave the streets and they never did. And they're repaving Grand and fixing it up. But the homeowners that live here, some have million dollar plus homes, and yet our streets are like third world country streets. So it's like who has mismanaged the money that's supposed to go to take care of our streets?” says Valerie McGill, who lives in Grover Beach.

Under Proposition 218, a grace period is underway, during which city administration will send letters and make announcements that residents' rates will be increasing July first.

If 50% or more of the population have one valid reason per property why they cannot meet the higher rates, the city will not be authorized to adopt the change in rates.

Community members have until the public hearing on June 9th to submit any protests—in writing only.

Informational sessions are scheduled for May 8th and May 28th.