Politics & Government

Council Ready to Hike Water Rates 13%

Also on Tuesday's agenda: a beer and wine permit for a miniature golf course at the new La Pata-Vista Hermosa sports park.

The San Clemente City Council on Tuesday is slated to raise water rates by 12.6 percent.

According to the report to council from city staffers, last year's 12 percent hike was negated by lower water usage and increased costs to purchase water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Because of these factors, staffers are predicting a shortfall this year of more than $800,000.

Find out what's happening in San Clementewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

It is recommend that the hike start in August, which will increase the average monthly water bill for a residence in town from $48.18 to $54.27.

The council is also scheduled to make a final decision about whether to grant entrepreneur and lessee Scott Melcher permission to sell beer and wine at the .

Find out what's happening in San Clementewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The parks and recreation committee recommended against issuing the license, except on certain occasions. However, city staff said Melcher should be able to sell beer and wine with a few provisos, including that sales stop by 9:30 p.m. and that alcoholic drinks be served in distinctive cups so that teens with alcohol could be more easily spotted. Also, the permit would come up for review every six months or as deemed necessary by officials.

Also Tuesday, the city will adopt its operating budget for the current fiscal year.


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