Riverside utility board sends 5.7% electric and water fee increase to council

The Raincross Gazette: The Board of Public Utilities voted unanimously June 8 to forward a 5.7% increase in electric and water user fees to the City Council, which holds a public hearing June 23. The figure tracks Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario CPI data from January 2024 through November 2025, Assistant General Manager Brian Seinturier told the board. It moves as a standalone item after the council last month declined a separate Municipal Code change that would have applied an annual inflation adjustment automatically. No increase was brought forward for fiscal 2025-26; staff said regular updates help avoid a larger jump later. If the council approves, the fees start July 1 and are expected to generate about $476,000 for the electric fund and $121,000 for the water fund — roughly $603,000 a year. The update also folds in rounding changes prompted by the federal end of penny production, with most fees rounded to the nearest dollar and smaller charges to the nearest nickel or dime.