1. How far ahead does the County plan utility rate adjustments?
Annually, the staff at each utility reviews rate projections for the next five years and makes recommendations to its Board of Directors for upcoming rate increases. Although no official decision has been made about future rate changes, upcoming proposed rate increases will be effective in July each year.
2. Are any accommodations made for customers on fixed incomes?
Unfortunately, it is not currently legally feasible to offer
discounted rates to fixed income customers. State law (Proposition
218) requires that all residents be charged equally for the actual
cost of a municipal service.
There are two programs however, that are offered to qualifying
low-income customers from the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation
District and Sacramento County Water Agency: the "Sewer Lifeline
Rate Assistance Program" (SLRAP) and the “Water Lifeline Rate
Assistance Program” (WLRAP). These programs are funded by another
revenue sources.
For more information on SLRAP, visit
www.sewerlifeline.com or
call 1-866-347-7743. For more information on WLRAP, visit
www.scwa.net or call
1-800-789-9993.
3. Does the public have a say in rate adjustments?
Yes. The Sacramento County Municipal Services Agency complies with the following requirements, mandated by Proposition 218, whenever there is a need to increase fees:
- Affected property owners are notified by mail about the proposed rate increase. The notice outlines the public protest procedure and publicizes the public meeting.
- If written protests are presented by a majority of the affected property owners, the proposed increase will be rejected.
In addition, all rate-related issues are covered at the County Board of Supervisors and Sanitation District meetings, which are open for public comment and televised on MetroCable 14, the government affairs channel on the Comcast Cable System.
