IRVINE

Residents will pay the same price for water this year if, as expected, the Irvine Ranch Water District Board of Directors adopts its final budget June 28. Officials held the first of two workshops Monday to discuss the district’s budget. The district hasn’t raised its service charges since 1992, and the cost of water has remained constant since 1994, spokesman Dave Ferguson said.

Although the district’s annual expenses continue to rise, it has managed to keep prices stable by staff reorganization and cost containment, said Paul D. Jones, the district’s general manager. “We’ve been able to eliminate 5 1/2 positions without layoffs by combining responsibilities,” he said.