RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Rancho Murieta residents could see higher utility bills and fewer security patrols next year under a proposed Community Services District budget that would increase rates by 31.5% while eliminating two patrol officer positions.

The budget proposal, progress on long-delayed audits, future water-supply planning and new Brown Act requirements were among the major topics discussed during the Rancho Murieta Community Services District's May 27 board meeting.

Separate stories in this issue cover the district’s emergency sewer-main repair east of the Yellow Bridge, a lengthy debate over the Water Vision Working Group, and a threatened legal claim filed by River Canyon Properties.

Before the public meeting, the board met in closed session regarding the River Canyon Properties claim. Board President John Merchant reported no reportable action.

The board also recognized James Colas and Jason Dill for 20 years of service to the district.

Higher Rates, Fewer Patrol Officers

Although the discussion was relatively brief compared with the well-site presentation and the lengthy Water Vision Working Group debate, the proposed 2026-27 budget represented the board’s most significant action item of the evening.

Finance and Administration Director Cecilia Min presented a revised spending plan that includes a 31.5% increase in rates and assessments, as well as the elimination of two patrol officer positions in the Security Department.

During a Proposition 218 hearing, district officials reported receiving 25 written protests – 10 related to water rates, 10 to sewer rates and five to solid waste rates – well short of the number needed to block the increases. The board then introduced the rate increase ordinance and waived its first reading, keeping the proposed increases on track for final consideration on June 17. While a majority protest blocked a proposed rate increase several years ago, no similar effort materialized this year.

Min also reviewed the district’s Capital Improvement Program, which identifies major infrastructure projects planned for the coming fiscal year. The proposed CIP was reduced from approximately $3.4 million in the preliminary budget to about $2.198 million in the revised version.

Min told directors that grant funding should become a priority as the district moves forward with future capital projects, noting that outside funding can help to offset costs.

Min provided encouraging news on another issue closely watched by residents: the district’s overdue audits.

She said the audits for fiscal years 2022-23 and 2023-24 are with the auditor and are expected to be completed within approximately three months. While final audits are expected to include some of the same concerning findings identified in previous audits, reflecting conditions that existed during those years, Min said other deficiencies have already been corrected through changes to procedures and financial controls.

Min has spent the past year working to eliminate its audit backlog while improving accounting practices, reconciling accounts and updating financial records.

The second-longest discussion of the evening centered on a well-siting study prepared by Water Systems Consulting.

Consultants identified six potential locations for exploratory groundwater test wells and emphasized that the study is intended to identify promising drilling sites rather than future production wells.

Water Vision Working Group member Tom Shewchuk provided the only detailed analysis of the report during public comments. He said the group viewed the RM-5 site on Equestrian Center property as the most promising new municipal well location, while noting that two lower-yield sites could still have value for irrigation or other non-potable uses.

District Counsel Patrick Enright reviewed recent changes to California’s Brown Act and new state requirements for fiscal and financial training of local officials.

The presentation covered remote participation rules, public access requirements and mandatory financial training for elected officials and certain district employees.

During public comment, the River Valley Times asked whether the district could conduct hybrid or livestreamed meetings although the district is exempted because of its small size, Enright said there is no legal barrier to doing so and that the primary consideration would be the cost.

Director Linda Butler announced she is stepping down as chair of the Personnel and Security committees for health reasons.

Butler also reported that the Camera Working Group has completed its current assignment and will not meet for the foreseeable future. 

She said the group has reached a point where professional assistance will be needed before additional progress can be made on the district’s security camera program.

In her general manager’s report, Interim General Manager Amelia Wilder reminded residents that four of the district’s five board seats will be on the November ballot and encouraged interested residents to consider running for office. She also reported that recruitment for a permanent general manager was nearing completion, with candidate reviews expected to begin in June.

The board also approved a lengthy consent agenda covering personnel, operational and administrative matters and reviewed the upcoming June committee and board meeting schedules.