Marina Coast Water District Is Beginning the Critical Process of Updating Rates
Marina Coast Water District has retained an independent rate consultant to assist the District in updating its five-year plan for water, recycled water, and sewer service charges to customers.
The updated rates will be designed to ensure the District receives adequate revenue to continue providing high-quality water and sewer services while remaining fair, reasonable, and proportional.
To ensure that the public is fully informed and has multiple opportunities to learn more, provide input, and have their questions answered, the district will be providing additional information as the updated rates are developed in the coming months.
Watch for more information on this page, via the District's regular e-newsletter (sign up here), social media, and the press.
Summary of Rate Meetings
Proposition 218 Hearing Scheduled for June 17
The Board will hold a public hearing at the date and time below to decide on a proposed five-year schedule of water, recycled water, and sewer service charge increases.
Monday, June 17, 2024, at 6:00 PM
Marina Coast Water District Boardroom, 920 2nd Avenue, Suite A, Marina
For more information please see key rate study documents below:
Please join us June 17 at 6:00 PM online or in person.
For your convenience, there are several ways to participate:
View the meeting online at the following Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83686780649?pwd=PBP3v_hFcOjRsY7UqzNNPsSYZnmhOw.RS8tmGb6OHJzwsR9Passcode: 061583Participate via one tap mobile:
+16699009128,,83686780649#,,,,*061583# US (San Jose)
+16694449171,,83686780649#,,,,*061583# USOr Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Webinar ID: 836 8678 0649
Passcode: 061583You may also attend in person at: 920 2nd Avenue, Suite A, Marina, CA.
April 29 Special Board Meeting — Amended Five-Year Rate Study
The MCWD Board of Director's will be holding a special Board meeting on Monday, April 29th at 12:00 p.m. This special meeting is to correct two minor calculation errors in the 2024 Rate Study that was approved on April 22nd. The District's rate consultant will be present to go over the amendment of the 2024 Water, Wastewater, and Recycled Water Rate Study.
During the final review of the Rate Study, two minor corrections were discovered. First is the rate assumption used for interest earnings on the financial plan. In order to ensure uniform assumptions were used across all cost centers, Marina Water Cost Center interest rate assumption had to be adjusted from 1.3% to 0.75%, to be in line with the assumption used in other cost centers. The second correction is a typo in the current 6-inch meter rate for Recycled Water. The correction reduces the fixed charge by $1.00. Not correcting the current rate would have a multiplier effect on the future years resulting in an overcharge on the Recycled Water fees.
Please join us on April 29 at 12:00 PM online or in person.
For convenience, there are several ways to participate:
View the meeting online at the following Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85306294173?pwd=NDBIQXBTbDk5L1V5amxhUmtRa2txZz09
Passcode: 182303Participate via phone: 1-669-900-9128; Meeting ID: 853 0629 4173 Passcode: 182303
Attend in person at: 920 2nd Avenue, Suite A, Marina
Persons who are participating via telephone will need to press *9 to be acknowledged for comments. Members of the public participating by Zoom will be placed on mute during the proceedings and will be acknowledged only when public comment is allowed, after requesting and receiving recognition from the Board President. Public comment on the action item can also be submitted in writing to Paula Riso at priso@mcwd.org by 9:00 am on Monday, April 29, 2024.
Review the agenda and project attachments at Marina Coast Water District Public Board and Committee Meetings.
Additional Materials: 2024 Rate Study Final Report
April 22 Board Rate Presentation and Consider Approval
TOPIC: Following months of Financial and Engineering Studies and Public Meetings to Review Them, the Board Will Receive a Presentation of the 2024 Five-Year Rate Study and Consider Approving the Public Notice and Set the Date, Time, and Location for Public Hearings for Proposed Changes in Rates, Fees, and Charges for Marina and Ord Community Service Areas.
Background. Over the past several months, the Marina Coast Water District (District) has evaluated its operational and facility requirements for the next five years. We had two primary objectives: ensure that our rates remain fair for all customer classes and generate sufficient revenue to fund continued high-quality service for all customers and fund critical facility improvements. After developing detailed financial and engineering plans, the District is proposing a number of rate adjustments that are described in this notice.
The proposed rate adjustments are designed to support about $45 million in investment in water, sewer, and recycled water facilities over the next five years. This investment is needed to renew and replace critical facilities necessary to provide quality and reliable service to customers. The proposed rates will also fund ever-increasing water and sewer operational and maintenance costs, including engineering, operations, pumping, treatment repairs, and regulatory compliance replacements.
By providing adequate revenue, the proposed rates will ensure that the District can continue to provide quality service in the coming years.
Please join us on April 22 at 6:00 PM online or in person.
For convenience, there are several ways to participate:
View the meeting online at the following Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84238584622?pwd=cHN6cTlTc3BPQ3lhb3QwazJJVEJoUT09
Passcode: 996492Participate via phone: 1-669-900-9128; Meeting ID: 842 3858 4622 Passcode: 996492
Attend in person at: 920 2nd Avenue, Suite A, Marina
Review the agenda and project attachments at Marina Coast Water District Public Board and Committee Meetings.
April 17 Public Rate Study Workshop
TOPIC: Presentation of Proposed New Water and Sewer Rates
The District will present proposed new water and sewer rates, which are designed primarily to provide the revenue needed to speed the pace of investment in aging water and sewer pipelines, pumps, reservoirs, and other facilities.
Please join us on April 17 at 7:00 PM to learn more, have your questions answered, and provide input.
For convenience, there are several ways to participate:
View the meeting online at the following Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85019473122?pwd=TGU3bDJucmpqaDFUKzZKNGU4UnZQZz09
Passcode: 416866
Participate via phone: 1-669-900-9128; Meeting ID: 850 1947 3122 Passcode: 416866
Attend in person at: Carpenters Union Hall, 910 2nd Avenue, Marina
Review the agenda and project attachments at Marina Coast Water District Public Board and Committee Meetings.
Additional Materials: Final 2024 Rate Recommendations; Summary of Proposed New Rates; Answers to Common Questions About Rates
March 12 Board Rate Study Workshop
TOPIC: Board to Review Water, Sewer, and Recycled Water Facility Needs and Rate Scenarios
The public is invited to attend the March 12, 2024 Board Rate Study Workshop
The Board of Directors will review and provide input on proposed facility investment and rate scenarios with an independent rate consultant and staff. The Board will seek to maintain the District's affordable rates while also obtaining sufficient revenue to increase the pace of re-investment in aging water and sewer pipelines, pumps, reservoirs, and other facilities.
For convenience, there are several ways to participate and learn more.
View the meeting online at:
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88493645183?pwd=Ni9LMnpxeERPditGYVBzY04yRlRMQT09
Passcode: 230342
Webinar ID: 884 9364 5183
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Attend in person at the District Boardroom at 920 2nd Avenue, Suite A, Marina, California
Review the agenda and project attachments at Marina Coast Water District Public Board and Committee Meetings
Read the 2024 Rate Study Draft Findings (PDF)
Update: Video of March 12 — Financial Plan Findings: Capital Improvement Spending & Scenarios
February 22 Board Rate Study Workshop
TOPIC: Board to Review Preliminary Financial Plan Findings for the Water, Sewer, and Recycled Water Rate Study
The public is invited to attend the February 22, 2024 Board Rate Study Workshop
This will be the first opportunity for the public and the board to review findings from the study. During the workshop, the Board will review and discuss the findings with the independent rate consultant who prepared the study, and with staff.
For convenience, there are several ways to participate and learn more.
View the meeting online at:
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83402322809?pwd=UFg1Mm9FK3d2RlpibUNvWmFXWG5rUT09
Webinar ID: 834 0232 2809
Passcode: 895614
Or Telephone:
669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Attend in person at the District Boardroom at 920 2nd Avenue, Suite A, Marina, California
Review the agenda and project attachments at Marina Coast Water District Public Board and Committee Meetings
Read the 2024 Rate Study Preliminary Findings (PDF)
Read the February 16 Press Release
Update: Video of February 22 — 2024 Rate Study Premiliminary Findings
December 18 Board Meeting
TOPIC: Legal requirements for rate setting and details and timeline for this rate process
Join us on December 18, as our independent rate consultant gives his first presentation to the Board of Directors.
6:00pm, Monday, December 18,
In Person at the Water District office at 920 2nd Avenue, Suite A, Marina.
OR
Participate via Zoom at this link, using the following codes:
Webinar: 845 8535 1458
Passcode: 628311
During the meeting, the rate consultant will outline legal requirements for rate setting in California and provide details about the rate-updating process and timeline for completion.
This is the first opportunity for the Board of Directors and the public to learn about this rate-setting process.
Update: Video of December 18 — Update Rate Presentation link
Update: Slide Presentation of December 18 — Water, Wastewater, and RW Rate Study
November 13 Board Meeting
TOPIC: The requirement to have separate accounting and charges for Ord and Marina service areas.
The Assistant District Legal Counsel gave a presentation on the history and reasons for "cost center separation" (separate accounting and rates for Ord and Marina service areas). He also provided information about the legal requirements of Prop. 218 regarding proportionality and cost of service.
Summary of the requirement to provide separate accounting and rates for Ord and Marina Service Areas.
The 1998 Water/Wastewater Facilities Agreement between the Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA) and Marina Coast Water District (MCWD) requires that the District maintain separate cost centers for its Ord and Marina water and sewer service areas.
In addition, Proposition 218 requires that any charges be proportional to the benefit received. Since it generally costs more to serve the Ord service area due to the much larger and poorly maintained system inherited from the Army, the proportionality requirement mandates separate Ord and Marina accounting and charges.
Update: Video of November 13 — Board meeting link
Update: Slide Presentation of November 13 — Ord/Marina Cost Centers and Proposition 218