Tulare County moves delinquent water and sewer fees for multiple districts onto 2025 tax roll

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. — The Tulare County Board of Supervisors on July 22 voted unanimously to place unpaid water and sewer service fees, accrued penalties and auditor collection charges for multiple county-administered districts on the 2025–26 property tax roll.

The board conducted three separate public hearings covering County Service Areas (CSAs) 1 and 2 (which include Delft Colony, Seville, Tonyville, Tuleville, Traver, Wells Tract and Yedam), the East Orosi Community Services District drinking-water system, and the Terra Bella sewer maintenance district. For each district, staff said customers who remain delinquent after a July 31 payment deadline will have the balances forwarded to the auditor’s office for placement on the tax roll.

Denise England, grants and resources manager for the Resource Management Agency, told the board the county followed a multi-step notice timeline that included statements, mailed notices and newspaper publications. England said total expected revenue for the CSA systems was $743,530, of which $93,218 was delinquent (227 accounts) at the time of her presentation. For the East Orosi district she reported an 11.9% delinquency totaling $2,595; Terra Bella’s delinquency was about 16%, or $23,795, with 54 delinquent accounts this year.

England said county ordinance 3604 authorizes placement of delinquent fees on the tax roll in accordance with Health and Safety Code sections 5470–5474.10 and Government Code section 6063 (for CSAs 1 and 2); she cited Government Code section 61115 and section 6066 for the East Orosi CSD; and she referenced the Terra Bella maintenance district ordinance and the same Health & Safety and Government Code provisions for Terra Bella.

Board members said placing the charges on the tax roll is an unwelcome but necessary step to recover the cost of operating county-owned water and sewer systems. England noted the county is a cost-recovery operator and that unpaid fees reduce the agency’s ability to maintain and upgrade systems. During the East Orosi hearing England reminded the board that in some jurisdictions utilities will turn off service for nonpayment; she said the county does not shut off water but relies on tax-roll collection and penalties.

Votes and motions - County Service Areas 1 and 2 (delinquent water/sewer fees): motion by Supervisor Makari, second by Supervisor Valero; vote 4–0 (Supervisor Shucklin not voting/not present). The board directed the tax collector to place delinquent sewer and water service fees, penalties and auditor collection charges on the 2025–26 tax roll for CSA 1 and 2. - East Orosi Community Services District (drinking water delinquent fees): motion by Supervisor Townsend, second by Supervisor McCarrie; vote 4–0 (Supervisor Shucklin not voting/not present). Board directed the tax collector to place delinquent drinking water fees and associated charges on the 2025–26 tax roll if unpaid after July 31. - Terra Bella Sewer Maintenance District (sewer delinquent fees): motion by Supervisor Valero, second by Supervisor Townsend; vote 4–0 (Supervisor Shucklin not voting/not present). Board directed the tax collector to place delinquent sewer fees, penalties and auditor collection charges on the 2025–26 tax roll if unpaid after July 31.

Why it matters Placing delinquent utility charges on the property tax roll is a standard local-government collection tool that moves past-due balances into a legally enforceable county tax process. County staff emphasized the step is necessary to recover costs for maintenance and operations of small, county-run water and sewer systems that otherwise rely on full payment by service users.

What’s next Staff said payments will be accepted through 4 p.m. July 31; accounts still delinquent then will be transmitted to the auditor for placement on the August 2026 property tax roll.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are limited to those who appeared in the meeting record.