Water policy meeting 01/08/13 11a.m. TDH

The santa cruz water commission has voted to chart a path of increased water rates in the city over the next few years, as well as set aside a financial reserve.  Commissioners unanimously voted Monday night to create a policy that will set aside 6-point-7 million dollars, to be used when the monthly budget falls short of expenses, (such as when extensive maintenance or construction is done).  The amount is enough to cover 90-days of operating costs.  A higher reserve amount would likely result in varying rate increases in coming years, but the commission also looked at the idea of implementing regular increases, starting in 2015.