Cayucos residents press county as proposed CSA 10A rate ordinance moves into Prop 218 notice

Several South Cayucos residents urged the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors to slow a proposed new rate structure for Community Services Area (CSA) 10A, saying the county has not provided sufficient notice, a master plan or a clear financial path before asking ratepayers to approve higher bills.

Susan Dunn, a South Cayucos resident, told the board she opposed the proposal, saying "the proposed over 35% compounded rate increase over five years" would place an unfair burden on largely fixed‑income households and that vacant "paper lots" are being included in the voting universe used for Prop 218 notices.

Rachel Wilson, another South Cayucos resident, said CSA 10A carries "$5,000,000 in debt" — roughly "$6,300 per household" by her calculation — and said her neighborhood has seen a 115% increase in water bills since 2015. "We need to sit down and figure out how to lower our costs," she said, and asked the board to pause the rate process and hold a town hall.

Supervisor Gibson asked Public Works for procedural clarification. Laura Holder, Public Works program manager, said staff will mail Prop 218 notices to 880 parcels with APNs that make them eligible and that the county has excluded vacant lots without immediate water service. "That's correct," Holder said, and she confirmed the rate study is available in the board package and on the county website. She also said staff attended eight Cayucos advisory meetings and subcommittee meetings as part of outreach.

County staff framed the board action as an introduction to the ordinance that begins the formal Prop 218 process, which allows affected ratepayers to receive notice and, if they choose, protest the proposed change. The item was presented to the board for discussion; staff indicated next steps include mailing the notices, receiving any protests per Prop 218, and returning with further procedural steps.

The public record shows widespread concern among CSA 10A residents about the scale of the proposed increases, the composition of the voter universe, the district's debt and the absence of a detailed, line‑item plan explaining overhead and construction costs. Residents asked the board to ensure the rate study and financial details are fully accessible and to consider a public forum before taking additional steps.

Procedural next step: the introduction moves the proposal into the Prop 218 notice process; notices will be mailed to the 880 identified parcels and the county will receive and tabulate any protests per state law before any adoption vote.