Growth fees for sewer capacity — last updated in 2008  — are only going up slightly compared to monthly user rates that haven’t been re-examined for just as long.

The reason?

Elected officials in 2008 had the foresight to account for inflation via mandated annual rate adjustments based on the San Francisco Region Consumer Price Index.

As a result, Manteca is fairly well positioned to secure bonds for the next expansion of the wastewater treatment plant that has a price tag of $231 million.

It also means, as Mayor Gary Singh pointed out, the city is making sure growth pays its way.

Since being elected to the council eight years ago, Singh has consistently pushed to have automatic annual inflation rates bult into all growth related fees from government facilities and major roads needs to parks.

The result has been a de facto increase in the buying power of growth fees that before were decimated significantly by not having automatic inflation adjustments.

Previously, Manteca would go three or five years without any adjustment in growth fee works.

Over one five-year period, the compounded inflation exceeded 15 percent.

The new  sewer capacity connection fee for residential are:

*$6,911 for single family homes based on an average use of 195 gallons per day sent into the sewer system.

*$4,856 for each multiple family unit based on an average use of 137 gallons per day sent into the sewer system.

*$4,289 for each mobile home based on an average use of 121 gallons per day sent into the sewer system.

The basic residential water capacity fee for a ¾ inch connection is dropping down from the current $5,324 to $5,167.79

However, the water meter connection fee for ¾ inch service will go from $404 to $870.26.

The adoption of updated water and sewer capacity fees earlier this month by the City Council also included provisions for single family homes built prior to March 2024 that have never been connected to the water and sewer system and are within the city limits to not pay capacity connection fee when they need to connect to the system.

They will, however, pay a $500 administration  fee for a sewer connection.an $8679.25

A similar water connection would require the $500 administrative fee plus the cost of the water meter. The smallest service is ¾ inch requiring an $870.26 water meter.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com