Rate Study Error Played No Part in Sewer Usage Fee Increase

An error in a sewer-rate study for Lemon Grove caused a bit of a flap this week between La Mesa and the outside agency that prepared the report, Bartle Wells Associates. But did the mistake influence the Lemon Grove City Council, which voted 5-0 on Tuesday to increase sewer usage fees?

No way, say city officials.

“The numbers from outside agencies don't change what needed to be done to keep the finances and infrastructure of the agency sound,” Councilman Jerry Jones said in response to an email query on Friday. “The comparative numbers that seem to be in error only serve to make the board members feel better or worse about the necessary decision that had to be made.”

City Manager Graham Mitchell said as much on Tuesday when giving the council the staff’s recommendation on the proposal to raise sewer rates. He said the move would deter the city from eating into the reserve fund.

“Staff’s recommendation was solely based on ensuring the cost to operate the Sanitation District, and maintaining appropriate reserves,” Mitchell said by email Friday. “The purpose in showing the comparison chart was to provide a general perspective of where the city's sewer rates are in comparison to other jurisdictions.”

The study included a chart that compared wastewater rates in the region, and incorrectly reported La Mesa as having the highest rate in the county at more than $50 a month. La Mesa’s current rate is actually much lower.

Douglas Dove, president of Bartle Wells Associates issued an apology:  “We regret that in our survey of surrounding communities’ sewer rates, we misread the fixed-charge portion of La Mesa’s current rate to be $19.88 per month when it is actually $19.88 for two months ($9.94 per month).”

Lemon Grove’s current monthly charges are $40.18 for a single-family home. The new model allows the to raise the rate 3.75 percent annually for the next five years, boosting fees from $41.69 this year up to $48.30 by 2016.

“I think it's important for people to keep in mind that everything goes up,” Jones said. “Sewer rates are flat fees and not tied to the economy through any mechanism like a percentage. The amount we charge reflects the cost of doing the public’s business as required by law. As much as I hate raising rates, the good news this year is the increases are half of what they were the past few years.”