2015-01-15 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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decision from an elected official to make which is why an appointed body like the Water Board looks solely at the interest of the department. Mr. Matsuda said he would accept it as written. Mr. Perry stated the Water Department is made to or can and has the capacity to break even or not to lose money. Ms. Kierkiewicz suggested saying grant Environmental Management Commission authority to set fees. Ms. Garson said it is a County Code amendment. Mr. Espejo asked if there will be a checks and balance system in place because having people on the commission set the rate, who would they answer to if they set the rate too high. Ms. Garson replied for rate increases, public hearings need to be held. She noted the Water Board does rate studies; it cannot just raise the rates. Ms. Maddox asked if the Water Board have a system of checks and balances. Ms. Garson replied statutorily they are supposed to; there is a statute that says you can for operations and CIP but there is a cap on how much you can have on reserve. Mr. Espejo noted if there is that kind of protocol with the Environmental Management Commission in making rate increases, he is in agreement with the recommendation. Mr. Mitchell said the Water Department serves over 41,000 customers and he agrees with Mr. Matsuda that as they move forward, they will take a look at the Water Supply language as a model. Discussion held and recommendation amended to read as follows: Explore the possibility of the Environmental Management Commission having the authority, like the Board of Water Supply, to set fees rather than the County Council codifying rate increases in the County Code. Motion and Vote : Mr. Matsuda moved to approve the recommendation as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Espejo and all Commissioners present voted aye. BB. Conduct study related to waste water rates, which were last adjusted in 2002, including a multi-year schedule of planned increases/adjustments. (12/4/14 meeting minutes, pg 4, BJ Leithead-Todd presentation) Discussion held and recommendation amended to read as follows: Conduct study related to waste water rates, which were last adjusted in 2002, including a multi-year schedule of planned increased/adjustments. Motion and Vote : Mr. Matsuda moved to approve the recommendation as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Perry and all Commissioners present voted aye. CC. Explore possibility of giving Wastewater Division ability to separate costs of electricity or diesel fuel on consumers’ bills and to pass changes in those costs on to consumers. (12/4/14 meeting minutes, pg 7, BJ Leithead-Todd presentation) 17