Proposed Billing Change

Monterey One Water currently uses a third-party billing vendor to prepare and mail bi-monthly customer billings for wastewater service fees. Starting in Fiscal Year 2024-2025, the Agency is considering changing its billing vendor to the Monterey County Treasury-Tax Division via a property’s Tax Bill. This change will help address current billing tool limitations and improve the overall customer billing program. If approved, bi-monthly bills would stop after June 2024 and an annual wastewater service fee would be listed under the Fees Section of a property's Tax Bill. This would also eliminate the Monterey One Water annual lien process.

Transparency

This change will not impact Monterey One Water's process for setting rates. As a public utility, the Agency must follow the state-required process when proposing to change rates. Each property owner will continue to receive written notification of the proposed rate change along with justification for the proposal and a process for customers to vote on the proposal. The Board will also lead a budget workshop and a public hearing with opportunities for public comment before voting to set new rates.

Submit your input on the proposal at:
Customer Billing Feedback Form
Community Information Forums
Summer 2023 - Details Coming Soon
  1. Why is this being considered?
Customer Experience

Limitation with existing billing vendor and financial software:

  • No paperless billing
  • No online account access
  • Vendor printing errors
  • Software service support ending


Rate Structure
Mandated Service:
  • Service cannot be turned off regardless of account status or payment
  • Same fee every month—flat rate by type of use
  • Common practice for required service


Fiscal Benefits
  • Net savings from vendor change ($317,000)
  • Improved site survey program and billing accuracy
  1. Proposed Timeline
Spring/Summer 2023Community Presentation and Feedback
Fall 2023Board Approval
Winter/Spring 2024Customer Notifications of Billing Change
July 1, 2024Bi-monthly Sewer Bills Stop
October 2024Annual Sewer Fee Appears on Tax Bill
  1. Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about the proposed billing change through this series of Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. Request Presentation

If your community or business organization is interesting in learning more, Monterey One Water team members are available to present on the proposed change to the Agency's billing process and answer questions. Please contact Mike McCullough, Director of External Affairs, to schedule.

Email: mikem@my1water.org

Phone: 831-645-4618