How, when and where you can provide feedback during Valley Water’s 2024-25 rate-setting process

Water is our most precious resource, and we must do all we can to protect it. Long-term water supply planning and investments in infrastructure help Valley Water better prepare for the future. Water rates help fund these infrastructure projects and programs that ensure Santa Clara County continues to have safe, clean water.

Public input is vital to the budget process. To continue meeting the ongoing needs of the community, we want to hear from you. Valley Water hosts a series of public hearings and an open house where you can weigh in on the proposed water rates and budget. Meeting details are listed below and on our webpage.

You can also provide feedback on the budget using Valley Water’s Balancing Act, an online budget simulation tool. Balancing Act is an easy way for anyone to learn about Valley Water’s revenue and spending and then provide input directly to the Board of Directors on where they think spending should be prioritized.

In addition to the proposed rate and budget hearings, Valley Water will host a public hearing period on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Draft FY 2025-2029 Five-Year Plan. Valley Water’s CIP is a projection of capital funding requirements for planned projects to improve, repair, replace or construct critical infrastructure.

Important dates

Open house and public hearings for water rates and Capital Improvement Program

The rate-setting and CIP process includes a series of opportunities for the public to provide input at the open house and public hearings in April.

Water rates public hearing
Opening date for public comments
Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.
Valley Water Board Meeting
Zoom Meeting

CIP public hearing
Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.
Valley Water Board Meeting
Zoom Meeting

South County open house (in-person only)
Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Gilroy City Hall, 7351 Rosanna Street, Gilroy 95020

South County public hearing
Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
Gilroy City Hall, 7351 Rosanna Street, Gilroy 95020
Zoom Meeting

Water rates public hearing
Closing date for public comments
Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.
Valley Water Board Meeting
Zoom Meeting

*The first public hearing is the opening date for public comments on the proposed rates. The final public hearing is the closing date for public comments.

Workshops

Proposed Biennial Operating and Capital Budget Board Work Study Session
Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.Valley Water Board Meeting
Zoom Meeting

Proposed Biennial Operating and Capital Budget Board Work Study Session
Session will be hosted if the April 24 workshop runs over time
Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
Valley Water Board Meeting
Zoom Meeting

Budget and groundwater production charges

Adopt the budget, groundwater production & the 5-year CIP Plan
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Valley Water Board Meeting
Zoom Meeting

We look forward to working through this process with you. Visit our website to learn more about Valley Water’s groundwater rates, budget and Capital Improvement Program. Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date with the latest information on rates and public hearings: Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram­­