Skip to content
Grand Jury Hub
← Back to this finding in the response audit
Public discussion · Finding F3

Because the rate study conducted by the City in 2019 underestimated a reduction in consumption due to conservation measures, the rate adjustment for 2019-2023 was insufficient to keep pace with escalating costs. This resulted in the need for a 37% increase on July 1, 2024, which has been difficult for many ratepayers to accept.

What should residents consider about Finding F3: Because the rate study conducted by the City in 2019 underestimated a reduction in consumption due to conservation measures, the rate adjustment for 2019-2023 was insufficient to keep pace with escalating costs. This resulted in the need for a 37% increase on July 1, 2024, which has been difficult for many ratepayers to accept., and the County’s response?

Sebastopol City CouncilResponse dated 2026-07-22Audit assessment: Partially addressed
Participate in this discussion

Audit context

What the response says and how it was assessed

Response says

Acknowledges underestimated conservation effects, describes the 2021–2022 drought and 2024 rate study, and recognizes household affordability pressures.

Audit analysis

Engages each material topic and identifies dated drought and rate-study bases, but its partial-agreement label does not clearly identify which proposition is disputed.

Finding-response score

Document completeness and usefulness—not factual verification or a legal conclusion.

9/10

3/4

Statutory elements

Stated position
2/2
Applicable disagreement elements
1/2

6/6

Public usefulness

Coverage
2/2
Reason specificity
2/2
Support traceability
2/2

Engages each material topic and identifies dated drought and rate-study bases, but its partial-agreement label does not clearly identify which proposition is disputed.

Scoring confidence: high

Public participation

Discuss the finding and response

Use Pol.is to discuss both the Grand Jury finding and the County’s response, see where participants agree, and add a perspective for others to consider. Participant statements do not alter this audit or verify factual claims made by any participant or source document.

Loading the Pol.is conversation...
Open on Pol.is