Water board sets budget calendar for upcoming fiscal year

By late April customers of the Ramona Municipal Water District are slated to receive their notices of proposed water rates that will go into effect on July 1, according to the district’s tentative budget calendar.

At its Feb. 26 meeting, RMWD directors approved the budget calendar for the 2013-14 fiscal year that begins July 1. The following dates are tentative, said district staff, and subject to change, depending on water rate information from the San Diego County Water Authority, the sole supplier of water to RMWD.

•March 26: Board Budget Workshop — overview of RMWD budget process and finances at board of directors meeting.

•April 9: Board Budget Workshop — Review of revenues, operating expenses, and proposed water and sewer rates at the board meeting. Directors to approve distribution of Proposition 218 letter with estimated water and sewer rates, or not-to-exceed rates, to all RMWD customers.

•April 22: Mailing of Proposition 218 letter, at least 45 calendar days before projected June 11 public hearing date.

•June 11: Projected date for public hearing and approval of the budget. Hearing will consider public concerns on proposed changes to water rates, sewer service charges, and San Vicente sewer availability charge. Final budget to be approved by board.

The water board meets at 2 p.m., the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month in Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane.