The city of Chowchilla will be hosting two Public Workshops to present a water and sewer utility rate study proposal. The two workshops are scheduled for Feb. 9, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. and Feb. 11, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Both workshops will be held in the Civic Center Council Chambers located at 130 South Second Street.</p><p>According to Assistant City Administrator/Finance Director Wayne Padilla, the idea behind the workshops is to ensure that the rates charged to home owners and businesses are fair and equitable. It is also to ensure that the cost of maintaining the utility infrastructure is identified in order that the cost can be paid for by the rates that are being charged.</p><p>The state of California has mandated that water meters be installed in every home and business by 2013. The reason the state has taken this stand is for a variety or reasons including water conservation. To comply with this state mandate the city looking at the best possible way finance the project. To install meters in every home within the city will cost approximately $2 million. The city is hoping to get a low-rate state loan which will help keep the increase to utility bills as low as possible.</p><p>The first step in the process is the public hearings. The public hearing is a chance for residents to give their input and to ask questions. Comments made by residents can be considered as part of the city's rate study proposal.</p><p>On March 8, the study will be taken back to the council At that time the public comments will be shared with council. At that point, council will have the oppotunity to initiate the formal notification process advising the public of the proposed rates and how they compare to what residents are currently paying.</p><p>At the end of the notification process a public hearing will be held and council will consider the number of notices received from the public objecting to the proposed rate increase. Providing that the number of objections received is less than 50 percent of the total customers served, the council may consider implementing the rate increase at the March 8 meeting. If the council votes to increase the rate, it will become effective on July 1 of 2010.</p><p>Currently all homes with meters are still being charged a flat rate. The city plans on installing all homes with meter before the actual billing process begins.</p><p>After the meters are in, the city plans to issue a flat rate bill and then later in the month a meter statement will be sent showing the water used and what the cost would be. Padilla explained this would give residents a chance to compare the two bills and address any excess water usage before they have to start paying for it. Residents are encouraged to attend the workshops. The overview of the workshop will include:</p><p>&#149; Approach and financial plan.</p><p>&#149; Current rate structure issues.</p><p>&#149; Key assumptions.</p><p>&#149; Proposed rate structure.</p><p>&#149; Revenue under current rates and proposed rates.</p><p>&#149; Rate survey.</p><p>For more information call Wayne Padilla at 665-8615, ext. 101.