The City Council recently au- thorized Mayor Dennis Gillette to send a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission ask- ing it to not increase the water rate as requested by the Califor- nia Water Service Co. in late Au- gust. It serves the Westlake Vil- lage and North Ranch areas of Thousand Oaks, providing water to 25 percent of the city's resi- dents.

According to a staff report, the water company asked the commission for a 22.25 percent rate increase for the first year, be- ginning July 1, 2007, and about 3 percent per year for the next two years. Cal Water is in the process of reconstructing the 4- million-gallon Harris Reservoir in the North Ranch area at a cost of about $10 million, which is the basis for 75 percent of the first year's requested rate increase.

"We believe they are asking for a fairly large rate increase for one year and are asking them to look at alternatives," said Mark Watkins, public works director for Thousand Oaks.

Alhough the city doesn't have any direct jurisdiction over utility companies, it chose to participate in the process in hopes of protecting the inter- ests of city residents and busi- nesses. The letter from Thou- sand Oaks says the increase of 22.25 percent in one year is excessive and asks if the in- crease is deemed necessary, then it should be spread over three years, Watkins said.

"I encourage staff, of course, to do all that can be done in or- der to prevent this sudden rate in- crease, which I'm sure will up- set quite a few residents in this town," Councilmember Claudia Bill-de la Pea said.

--Nancy Needham