Proposed water rates on Oceanside mailers have residents confused about what they’ll be paying for water next year.
"It's kind of stated in here that they're losing revenue so now we're going to pay more for less,” said Oceanside resident Daniel Carr.
He and others received a four-page letter in the mail from the city, explaining why the rates are increasing. After reading it, most locals understood that there will be a 7.5 percent increase across the board.
But that percentage is just part of the hike, according to Interim Water Utilities Director Jason Daffron. In all, most residents could see a rise of 18.9%.
"Well they have to be straight forward in why they are raising the rates,” said Carr.
Other factors that could go into your bill would be the size of your meter and whether there’s a fire sprinkler connection.
The city is seeking to make up lost revenue due to drought conservation efforts. The less water people buy, the harder it is for the city to meet its operational costs.
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Oceanside, as well as other water districts, is also facing an increase in rates from its imported water providers, the San Diego County Water Authority and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
In Dafforn's email to NBC 7, he explained the letter isn't meant to mislead residents. It's meant to show the different rate increases that are both in the city's control and those that aren't.
Linda Persing said while she can appreciate the spreadsheet, “The average person, I’m concerned will not really know what that means.”
There will be a public hearing at the Oceanside City Hall on Nov. 18. City councilmembers will read any letters sent to them, and they'll hear from residents who show up to voice their concerns.
But the council could accept the increase at the time, and the new rate would take effect 30 days from the meeting.
