A. In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines, district staff has determined that the increases in potable water service charges are exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15378 and 15273 of the CEQA Guidelines and Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 21080(b)(8) because: (1) the increased charges are for the purpose of meeting operational and maintenance expenses of the aforementioned services; and (2) the charges constitute the creation of a funding mechanism/other governmental fiscal activity which does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. The documents and materials that constitute the record of proceedings on which these findings have been based are located at 75515 Hovley Lane East, Palm Desert, CA 92211. The custodian for these records is the clerk of the board.

B. The board of directors finds that the revenues derived from the charges established by the ordinance codified in this section (1) do not exceed the funds required to provide domestic water services; (2) shall not be used for any other purpose than that for which the charges are imposed; (3) do not exceed the proportional cost of the service attributable to each domestic water customer; (4) provide services which are immediately available to each domestic water customer; and (5) are not levied for general governmental purposes.

C. The board of directors of the district has evaluated and hereby adopts the rates for the charges as set forth in Exhibit “A,” attached to the ordinance codified in this section and by this reference incorporated herein. The rates shall be in effect for bills generated on and after July 1, 2021, and shall be similarly imposed and increased each July 1st thereafter, through and including July 1, 2025, at the rates and in the amounts set forth in Exhibit “A.” (Ord. 1441 §§ 2 – 4, 2021; Ord. 1439 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 1438 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1436 § 2, 2018; Ord. 1433 § 2, 2017; Ord. 1432 §§ 2 – 5, 2016)