Finance staff previews sewer and reclaimed‑water rate scenarios and millage timing

City finance staff provided the commission with early budget information on sewer and reclaimed‑water rates and the timetable for annual millage decisions.

The finance director said staff modeled residential sewer charges for three consumption scenarios (2,500; 4,300; 6,500 gallons) under several rate‑increase scenarios (5%, 7.5%, 10%). Even with increases in the 7.5%–10% range, staff said South Pasadena’s combined sewer charges would remain lower than surrounding municipalities under the preliminary analysis.

On reclaimed water, staff said the city’s contract with Penllis County Utilities is producing another significant adjustment this year; the presentation noted an increase of about 15%, similar to last year’s roughly 14.9% rise.

The director reviewed the property‑tax timeline: staff plans to ask the commission on July 1 to approve a tentative maximum millage based on estimated taxable values, submit that to the property appraiser and then use certified values for first, second and final readings and public hearings in August/September. Staff cautioned that pending state legislation removing a personal‑income component from rollback calculations will change the state forms and could affect final millage calculations.

No final rate or millage decisions were taken at the workshop; staff said it will return with certified values, updated calculations and proposed resolutions for the commission’s regular meetings.