Published in the January 20 – February 2, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life
Keegan, Varela elected chair and vice chair of Santa Clara Valley Water District board
Barbara Keegan
John Varela
The Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors unanimously elected Barbara Keegan, District 2 representative, to serve as board chair in 2016 and John Varela, representing District 1, as vice chair.
Chair Keegan was elected to the board Nov. 2012. She is a third-generation civil engineer and has lived in District 2 for most of her life. Her professional background includes many years of experience in successfully delivering capital projects and resolving construction disputes.
Vice Chair Varela was appointed to the board in Dec. 2015, filling District 1 seat left vacant when Dennis Kennedy resigned due to health issues. Varela has lived in Morgan Hill for 38 years and has served as mayor and council member.
City proposing new water, wastewater rates
The city is now in the process of a water and wastewater rate adjustment. At the Dec. 2 city council meeting, the city approved a new rate structure. On Dec. 5, a Prop. 218 notice was mailed to every water and wastewater customer in the city. This notice informs customers of the proposed rate adjustments and initiates a public review period. Notices include a description of proposed rates and information detailing the protest process requirements.
The city has scheduled a public hearing for the rate increase structure at 7 p.m. Jan. 20 in the council chambers.
If no majority protest is received and council elects to approve the water rate increases, adjustments would become effective April 2016, and wastewater rates would be effective beginning Jan. 2017.
For more information about the water and wastewater service rate adjustment process please visit the city website at www.morgan-hill.ca.gov.
– Staff Reports
