Overview
- Water bills will rise 14.7% next year and 14.5% the year after under an amended plan adopted by a one-vote margin.
- The council rejected a staff proposal for a 63% water increase through 2029 and a 31% wastewater hike, opting for Councilmember Stephen Whitburn’s shorter, smaller plan.
- City staff and the Independent Budget Analyst warned that substantially lower hikes could risk bond covenant breaches, drain reserves, damage credit ratings and force layoffs of about 500 Public Utilities employees.
- Council members signaled tougher scrutiny of the San Diego County Water Authority’s costs, with Marni von Wilpert raising the prospect of litigation and colleagues noting most new expenses stem from wholesale charges.
- The vote followed a September 8–1 delay after public pushback, as analysts also reported the wastewater system is relatively healthier than the water system.