T.U.D. Will Vote On Rate Hike

Sonora, CA — The Tuolumne Utilities District will vote Tuesday whether to increase water rates by 2.78%.

The District reports that the average residential customer bill ($43.32 per month), would increase by $1.20. T.U.D. reports that the move would raise an estimated $260K a year. Board documents state that costs associated with the drought are the reason for moving forward with the proposed rate hike. T.U.D.’s current estimated expenses related to drought measures are $3.05 million, and the loss of revenue due to the conservation requirements is expected to be an additional $850k – $1.7 million.

It is noted that the previous T.U.D. Board, in 2012, had approved rate increases that were scheduled to take effect over three straight years. However, four new board members were elected later that year, and the rate hike was suspended, after year one. Because the three-year increase had already been approved, and was merely suspended, there are fewer legal steps that need to be taken to implement the hike that will be voted on Tuesday. The meeting will begin at 5:30pm in the T.U.D. meeting room.