Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Dwp Standby Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves collection of DWP water standby fees on 2025–26 tax roll
Summary
The council authorized placing Department of Water & Power standby charges (for vacant parcels with water mains) on the FY2025–26 tax roll. Staff said the fee has remained $53 since 1992 and covers infrastructure costs for vacant lots with mains in front.
The Big Bear Lake City Council voted June 11 to place Department of Water & Power (DWP) water standby charges on the fiscal year 2025–26 tax roll.
DWP staff explained the standby charge applies to vacant parcels that front a public water main; the standby fee was set at $30 in 1990, raised to $53 in 1992 and has remained at $53 since then. The standby charge is used to help cover infrastructure costs and debt service related to the water system. Staff reported 2,164 parcels currently qualify for the standby charge; the figure changes as parcels develop (the fee is removed when a parcel becomes a regular water customer).
Council discussed representation for customers outside the city limits; staff and council members noted the DWP board includes representation for customers outside municipal boundaries and that customers outside the city had the ability to participate in the board process.
Following a public hearing (no substantive public testimony was received on the item), the council approved the resolution to collect the DWP standby fees on the county tax roll.
