June 27, 2024
On June 24, 2024, the West Basin Municipal Water District Board of Directors approved the annual operating budget for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 (FY24-25), which begins July 1, 2024, and ends June 30, 2025. The FY24-25 budget includes a two-step rate increase for West Basin retailers. Rates will increase 1.8%, effective July 1, 2024, followed by an 11.2% increase effective January 1, 2025, to reflect a pass-through of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s scheduled rate increase for treated imported water supplies in 2025.
The budget was developed through an extensive planning and deliberation process by the West Basin Board of Directors. The FY24-25 budget is the result of five workshops held by the Board between February and June 2024, during which time the Board sought to stabilize revenues in light of lower water sales and the approaching loss of the District’s Standby Charge.
West Basin, like many California water agencies, is confronting the impacts of climate change on hydrology and evolving business models that correlate with its current water resources. This year’s budget process reflects this pivotal juncture and aligns with the costs of providing water today including the supply, treatment, operation, compliance, capital improvements, debt service and administration.
Information about the new water rates and charges for West Basin retailers, as well as workshop presentations and recordings, can be found online at www.westbasin.org/board-agendas.
