Please do not raise rates. Others questioned if it would really be a one-time fee, as proposed. Council members Christy Guerin, Maggie Houlihan and James Bond supported a surcharge that would have been about half the amount proposed by city staff. They said it would be tough to cut electricity use at the districts, since sewage will keep flowing through the pipes that must be treated. Even though the surcharge was rejected, rate hikes in both districts could be on the horizon.
City officials plan to conduct a rate study in each district to determine if one is necessary.
The Cardiff Sanitation District services 5,662 homes and businesses in Cardiff and Olivenhain. The Encinitas Sanitary Division serves 3,296 businesses and homes in New Encinitas, Old Encinitas and parts of Leucadia.