Menlo Park City Council Members,
I am Janet Jennings, a Menlo Park resident and the treasurer of my homeowners association. My complex has 57 units and one water meter. I have further reviewed the water rate study prepared by Black and Veatch, and I have the following concerns:
1. The tier rate billing system charges multi-family residences significantly more for water.
2. The tier rate billing system does not encourage water conservation.
1. The tier rate billing system charges multi-family residences significantly more for water.
Because we have one water meter, 95 percent of our water will be billed at tier 3 rates under the proposed water rates. We will enter tier 3 on the second day of the billing cycle.
The current tier system calculations look “fair” to all residents because they “equate” the amount billed to single-family and multi-family residences. This means my complex will be billed for having 57 water meters instead of having one water meter. By paying the higher tier 3 rates, we are subsidizing the water meter costs and consumption costs of single-family residences.
Please remember, “the monthly meter charge recovers costs associated with meter maintenance and services, meter reading, customer billing, and maintenance and capacity costs associated with public fire protection regardless of the level of water consumed. “Rate Study 3.1.1
My complex pays the appropriate fixed meter charge.
Why are we being charged a higher rate for water consumption?
This is not fair!
Proposition 218 requires “the rates imposed must not exceed the proportional cost of the service provided.” Rate Study, section Rate Design.
Does it cost more to provide water to a multi-family residence than a single-family residence over and above the fixed meter charge?
2. The tier rate billing system does not encourage water conservation.
Paying tier 3 rates on 95 percent of my complex’s water consumption gives us no incentive to conserve water.
Increasing the price of water based on the consumption amount will not encourage the average Menlo Park resident to conserve water.
I invite the City Council members to consider removing the tier rate system and charge all residences a uniform amount for water consumption.
Best regards,
Janet Jennings
Menlo Park Resident
