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rates higher than those in the public hearing notice. The required public hearing notifications were sent out on August 4, 2023. Per the requirements of Proposition 218, if more than a majority of parcels receiving water services protest any proposed rate increase, the City Council may not move forward with implementing the increases. Ratepayers and property owners are required to submit written protests to the City Clerk following the instructions on the public hearing notice. Protests may be made up to the close of the public hearing. A final number of protests will be reported at the City Council meeting, and if there is not a majority protest totaling 11,243, then the City Council may proceed with adopting the noticed rates. Public Notices for this meeting were advertised in compliance with applicable State statutes and local ordinances. If the City Council approves the proposed rates, no further notices will be sent to ratepayers other than a note on the bills indicating that rates were approved and that more information can be found on the City's website or by contacting the City directly. In addition to the required notices, on September 4, 2023, as part of the City's standard operating procedures, the City published an additional notice of the public hearing regarding the rate changes, which is 15 days in advance of the public hearing scheduled for September 19, 2023. Additionally, information regarding the proposed rate increases has been provided on the City's website and through other city platforms and materials and presentations. DISCUSSION ANALYSIS OF WATER AND SEWER RATES Guidelines and Parameters for Water and Sewer Rates Prior to delaying the 2019 rate study, staff met with the Water Liaison Subcommittee to develop the guidelines and parameters for structuring the proposed water and sewer rates. In addition, staff met with a Citizen Advisory Committee consisting of four community members who provided input and feedback to the Water Liaison Subcommittee. These parameters for structuring the proposed water and sewer rates included: • Encourage water conservation • Adhere to existing City fiscal policies, such that o Enterprise funds must be self-sufficient and fiscally sustainable o Cost of services is to be borne by users of the system o Repair and replacement of capital facilities are fully funded through rates • Establish fair and equitable rates across all customer classifications. Much of the work of the subcommittee and the advisory group was used as the foundation for this rate study; however, given the immediate and critical needs of the water system, this first phase of the rate study is necessarily focused on providing immediate funding that will implement near-term infrastructure improvements to ensure the continued delivery of safe and reliable drinking water to the Pleasanton community. This phase does not consider adjustments to the discount program for seniors and low- Page 6 of 19