Santa Clara approves five-year schedule of water rate increases

The Santa Clara City Council voted 4-0 on June 24, 2026 to approve a water rate increase, according to the meeting's minutes. Councilwoman Hinton moved to approve the increase and Resolution No. 2026-14R, and Councilman Hendrickson seconded. Council members Hendrickson, Pond, Hinton and Caplin voted aye. ^[1]

The minutes say no members of the public came forward at the public hearing. ^[1]

The schedule

The five-year proposal in the meeting packet sets six tier rates. For 2026-27 and 2027-28, tiers 1 and 2 rise by 20 cents, tiers 3 and 4 by 30 cents, and tiers 5 and 6 by 60 cents. The current rates of $1.20, $1.73, $1.98, $2.73, $3.38 and $4.68 become $1.40, $1.93, $2.28, $3.03, $3.98 and $5.28. ^[2]

For 2028-29 through 2030-31, the proposal adds 10 cents per tier, to $1.50, $2.03, $2.38, $3.13, $4.08 and $5.38. The schedule does not state an effective date. ^[2]

The proposal says staff will present the Washington County Water Conservancy District's rate increase to the council each year and reevaluate the approved increase if the district's increase is above $.15 per 1,000 gallons. ^[2]

Projected revenue

A rate options chart in the packet projects $220,306 in added revenue with the 20-, 30- and 60-cent increases and $295,890 with 30-, 40- and 70-cent increases. The chart does not state what period either figure covers. ^[2]

The minutes of the council's June 10 work meeting describe the plan as a tiered water rate increase designed to generate additional revenue for infrastructure maintenance. ^[2]