Mayor Mark Kairis Breaks Down the June 16th City Council Decisions Pt. 1
Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! Hanford’s wastewater system is one of those essentials you only notice when something goes wrong, and that is exactly why we wanted to slow down and explain what City Council just took on. Mayor Mark Kairis joins us with a clear recap of the June 16 Hanford City Council actions, starting with the wastewater rate study and the long list of infrastructure upgrades the city can no longer postpone. We walk through the real numbers behind the c...
Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode!
Hanford’s wastewater system is one of those essentials you only notice when something goes wrong, and that is exactly why we wanted to slow down and explain what City Council just took on. Mayor Mark Kairis joins us with a clear recap of the June 16 Hanford City Council actions, starting with the wastewater rate study and the long list of infrastructure upgrades the city can no longer postpone.
We walk through the real numbers behind the conversation: about $25 million in capital improvement projects over the next five years to correct current deficiencies, a proactive maintenance plan for more than 200 miles of sewer lines, and a separate $60 million improvement project at the Wastewater Treatment Facility. This is the nuts-and-bolts side of local government that affects reliability, regulatory compliance, and the long-term cost of keeping service steady for homes and businesses across Hanford.
Just as important, we break down how the city plans to pay for it. Council considered two financing paths and chose an option that avoids capitalized interest, saving customers roughly $8 million in interest over 30 years. We also outline what the proposed wastewater rates look like for single-family homes, how annual increases are scheduled through 2030, and what Proposition 218 requires so residents can weigh in. Formal notices go out in July, and the Proposition 218 public hearing happens August 18 at 7 PM at City Hall, where you can share feedback and submit written protests.
If you care about responsible infrastructure spending, transparent rate-setting, and what your monthly sewer bill could look like in the years ahead, this recap is for you. Subscribe for more City Council updates, share this with a neighbor, and leave a review so more Hanford residents can find the conversation.
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00:00 - Welcome And Meeting Recap
00:28 - Why Wastewater Rates Must Change
02:02 - Financing Choice And Interest Savings
02:28 - Proposed Rates And Yearly Increases
02:50 - Proposition 218 Notices And Public Hearing
03:50 - What Happens Next And Sign Off
Welcome And Meeting Recap
SPEAKER_00You're listening to a special episode of the Hanford Insider Podcast, featuring a wrap-up of recent City Council actions with Mayor Mark Kyrus. Hello, Hanford. I'm Mayor Mark Kyrus. Our June 16th Hanford City Council meeting was one of the busiest in recent memories. And because we covered so much ground, we're going to break this recap up into multiple sections.
Why Wastewater Rates Must Change
SPEAKER_00We're starting with a very important item, the wastewater rate study. Before we get to what the new proposed rates are, I want to explain why they are needed. One of the primary reasons is the critical need for infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, which has been lacking for many years. Our current system requires significant investment of approximately $25 million in capital improvement projects over the next five years, just to correct the existing deficiencies. One of the most pressing needs is a citywide proactive pipeline maintenance program, which includes the rehabilitation or replacement of aging sewer pipelines. The city's sewer system contains more than 200 miles of lines. So this is a massive undertaking. As you may recall, we are also moving forward with a $60 million improvement project at the Wastewater Treatment Facility. If you're unfamiliar with this transformational project, we have a short video describing it in more detail. You can watch it at our website at www.hanfordca.gov slash wastewater.
Financing Choice And Interest Savings
SPEAKER_00During the meeting, Council was presented with two different ways to finance these improvements. We ultimately chose option number two, which involves no capitalized interest. By choosing this option, the city will save customers approximately $8 million in total interest costs over the next 30 years.
Proposed Rates And Yearly Increases
SPEAKER_00For single family residence, the proposed rate would increase to $39 on September 1st. You can see here how we would compare with other cities in our region at that time. The rates would then increase annually through 2030, as seen on this chart.
Proposition 218 Notices And Public Hearing
SPEAKER_00We are committed to a transparent process as required by Proposition 218. Here's what you can expect in the coming weeks. In July, property owners and ratepayers will receive formal notices regarding the Proposition 218 detailing the proposed changes. On August 18th, we'll hold the Proposition 218 public hearing at 7 PM here at City Hall. This is your opportunity to provide feedback and submit written protests. If there is no majority protests following the hearing, the new rates will go into effect on September 1st, 2026. We know that rate increases are never easy, but these steps are necessary to ensure our wastewater infrastructure remains reliable for generations to come.
What Happens Next And Sign Off
SPEAKER_00Stay tuned for more recaps from our June 16th Hanford City Council meeting. See you soon.