在加利福尼亚州的六年干旱期间，Corte Madera的马林市水区（MMWD）经历了特别严重的缺水。市民们感到沮丧，因为该地区严格限制消费，并一再提高利率。随着旱灾在1992年结束，MMWD组建了一个公民咨询委员会，指导该地区和一家咨询公司建立一个新的费率结构。规划过程不仅是为了满足财政需求而进行的成本分配，还涉及需要公众投入的重要政策问题。所选择的边际成本方法满足了收入需求，解决了有限的供水和昂贵的水源开发问题，以满足不断增长的需求。 对利率结构的支持是广泛的，因为委员会成员代表了更大社区的大多数成员，能够在大多数问题上达成广泛共识。包括参考，表格。

The Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) in Corte Madera experienced a particularly severe water shortage during California's six-year drought. Citizens were frustrated because the district rigidly limited consumption and repeatedly raised rates. As the drought was ending in 1992, MMWD assembled a citizen advisory committee to direct the district and a consulting firm in establishing a new rate structure. More than a cost-allocation exercise to meet financial needs, the planning process involved important policy issues that required public input. The marginal cost approach chosen meets revenue needs and addresses the problems of limited water supply and expensive source development to meet increased demand. Support for the rate structure is widespread because committee members, who represented most elements of the larger community, were able to reach broad consensus on most issues. Includes reference, tables.