Commission to continue discussing proposed Sacramento water rate hikes

Sacramento’s Utility Rate Advisory Commission voted Wednesday to delay sending proposed water and wastewater rate adjustments to the City Council.

Commissioners requested that the Department of Utilities investigate whether not accelerating water meter installation would allow for smaller rate increases over a longer period of time.

The current proposal calls for water rates to increase by 10 percent and wastewater rates by 9 percent.

More than 30 residents spoke during the public hearing on both sides of the issue. Some were outraged at the proposed rate hikes and called for more accountability and efficiency from the Department of Utilities.

Others were in favor of the increases, saying they understood the city’s infrastructure has critical improvement needs.

The commission will reconvene on Feb. 10 to continue discussing the proposal.

This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 9:50 PM with the headline "Commission to continue discussing proposed Sacramento water rate hikes."