The county’s Board of Supervisors set a public hearing date for Tues., Nov. 27, where Malibu and Topanga residents are asked to voice any protests on plans to increase water rates more than 25 percent over the next five years.
Los Angeles County Waterworks District 29 for Malibu and Topanga issued the proposal in an attempt to address a revenue gap.
“The rate will increase by 5.4 percent annually for the first two years and 5.2 percent annually for the succeeding 3 years,” according to a notice posted on the City of Malibu’s website. “The rate increases will result in an average, annual revenue increase of $796,000 for operations and maintenance and $123,000 for capital infrastructure activities, for a total increase of $4.6 million over five years.”
The majority of Malibu and Topanga residents and businesses get their water from District 29 (some residents west of Trancas Canyon Road or in the mountains are with Las Virgenes Municipal Water District).
The hearing on Nov. 27 will take place at 9:30 a.m. in Downtown Los Angeles at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 W. Temple St.
If more than half of the customers affected by the proposed hikes submit written protests, the county will not impose the rate increase.
Written comments should be mailed to the Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 29, Malibu and Topanga, 900 S. Fremont Ave., Alhambra, CA 91803.
Jimy Tallal contributed to this report.