The current budget for the plant upgrade is sizable at...

The current budget for the plant upgrade is sizable at approximately $75 million, including $56.6 million in a guaranteed construction contract. While historical system financial performance has been healthy, adequate coverage on the 2006 bonds will require a significant increase in net revenues. The city council and sanitary district boards have already approved rate increases of 32% in fiscal 2006 and an additional 59% over the next three years, to $65.68 in fiscal 2009. While high, these rates would not be the highest for comparable sanitary districts in northern California, and the rate increases have gone through the required public hearing process.