SANTA CLARA, Calif. (KRON) – The board met Wednesday night and unanimously approved its budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The budget includes a 9.1% increase in water rates.
The average customer will see an increase ranging from 4.30 to $4.82 per month.
According to the board, the hike in water rates is for the next fiscal year.
That starts July 1 and ends June 30 of next year.
The board’s chair says the money will pay for emergency water supplies due to the drought, increase conservation programs, and invest in infrastructure and technology.
Part of the money will pay for the Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project, which costs about $2.5 billion.
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo is against the hike in rate, saying it won’t help increase water supply for the community.
Board members say they’d still have to raise the price for drinking water – even if they didn’t use the money to pay for the dam.
The funds would be used for other system improvements.
Customers should expect to see an increase in their water bill starting in July.