What is the process for determining rate changes?

Any changes to how Ventura’s water and wastewater rates are structured involves a deliberate series of steps to ensure that rates remain affordable, equitable, and stable.

  1. First, a rate-setting framework establishes financial goals, policies, and pricing objectives, which guides all rate-related decisions throughout the process.
  2. Next a financial plan is developed which evaluates planned capital improvement projects.
  3. Next, a financial plan is developed, which evaluates planned capital improvement projects and all financing options to fund those projects.
  4. A cash flow analysis then establishes the utility’s revenues and expenses for the foreseeable future.
  5. Next, a cost of service analysis determines all required costs that need to be recovered to operate the water and wastewater systems and execute the planned capital projects.
  6. Finally, rates are designed to recover these costs proportionally from different user groups and on an individual user basis.

Show All Answers

1. Why do water and wastewater rates need to change?
2. Why would rates change if we currently have enough water?
3. Would rates change if we did not need additional water supplies?
4. Has conservation helped to address water supply needs?
5. How does new development affect rates?
6. How will the revenue from our rates be used to improve our water and wastewater systems?
7. When was the last rate change?
8. How do Ventura's rates compare to other cities and water districts?
9. What influence does the VenturaWaterPure Project have on potential changes to the water rate structure and proposed rates?
10. Why can't water conservation be used in lieu of VenturWater Pure?
11. Which parts of our current rates were evaluated?
12. What is the process for determining rate changes?
13. What is the schedule for rate changes?
14. How often are rates evaluated and updated?
15. Who approves rate changes?
16. How do I know that the proposed rates are equitable?
17. How will the proposed rates impact my household bill?
18. What other changes can I expect?