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COMMUNITY NEWS
CSD draft budget proposes 9 percent rate increase
Published
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
The question isn't whether rates for Community Services District services will increase, but by how much. The first draft of the 2008 CSD budget projects an increase of 9 percent in the average monthly bill for water, sewer, drainage and security services, as well as a 9 percent increase for garbage collection. The actual cost will vary with can size.
The increase takes into account a 5.2 percent increase in the new contract with the company that collects the garbage and the cost of holding an annual hazardous household waste collection event.
If the board approves rate increases, the new rates would take effect July 1, the start of the fiscal year.
The budget was discussed at the March Finance Committee meeting and is available here.
Taken individually, water rates would increase 11 percent, sewer 13 percent, and drainage 6 percent in the monthly bill, while security costs would remain the same.
In presenting the $4.4 million draft budget to the Finance Committee, Director of Administration Les Tyler said salaries and benefits account for half the potential increase.
Other factors contributing to the projected increase are maintenance and repair costs for the district's aging infrastructure, higher power rates and more power usage, increases in chemical and laboratory costs, and higher permit and inspection fees.
The preliminary budget proposes increased spending for information technology, with software upgrades, five new computers and a $58,000 contract for the district's IT consultant.
The budget projects $568,000 in property tax revenues and10 new hook-ups, down from 60 to 100 in previous years. The property tax revenue projection includes a 2 percent increase over the current fiscal year.
Revenues increase 6.7 percent to $4.39 million, and operating expenses increase 8.3 percent to $4.37 million in the proposed budget.
Drug use report prompts "beefed-up" park patrols
Security responded to a complaint about marijuana use at the junior high and high school bus stop afternoons at the Gazebo by "beefing up enforcement in that area," Security Chief Greg Remson told the Community Services District Security Committee this month.
"This comes up periodically … and we use some directed enforcement and it dies down. … We'll just continue to do that."
He said sheriff's deputies are assisting Security patrol officers' efforts to monitor the area and the Rancho Murieta Compliance Committee had discussed the issue, suggesting additional cameras, better lighting and more parental involvement to discourage drug use.
Remson called the Gazebo "the main gathering area" for the community's teenagers. "It's centrally located, it's got the basketball hoops … It's a good park."
Remson also reported on recent incidents in the community that included multiple acts of vandalism taking place in one night on Murieta North and a golfer who was bitten by a dog when he reached into a yard on the South golf course to recover a golf ball.
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A second mountain lion sighting was reported in February, he said. The cougar was seen in the undeveloped area behind Puerto Drive near the stub street Campos Verde, according to Remson. A sighting in January occurred near Guadalupe Lake.
The state Department of Fish and Game provides a brochure about living in "lion country" that is available here or at the CSD Building. Advice includes deer-proofing landscaping, installing outdoor lighting and keeping pets secure.
Residents are advised not to jog or hike alone and to carry a whistle or other noise-maker.
Should you encounter a mountain lion, Fish and Game's advice is not to bend down or crouch, and don't run away. Do everything you can to look larger and remain upright.
Notify Security of mountain lion sightings at 354-CARE or 354-3743.
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