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SAC Sewer board adopts resolution to place $13.7 million in delinquent sewer charges on tax roll; public hearing set for July 9
Summary
The Sacramento Area Sewer District board voted unanimously May 14 to adopt a resolution of intention to place delinquent sewer service charges on the county tax roll and set a July 9 public hearing. Staff estimated $13.7 million across about 20,000 accounts; staff said about 30% typically drops off before placement on the tax roll.
The Sacramento Area Sewer District on May 14 adopted a resolution of intention to place delinquent sewer service charges on the county tax roll and set a public hearing for July 9, 2025.
Senior Accounting Manager Lehi Ewamura told the board the district’s delinquent sewer-service balance as of April 26 is about $13,700,000 across roughly 20,000 accounts and recommended moving the unresolved amounts to the tax roll. “Once the procedures are complete, the delinquent sewer service charges will be placed onto the tax roll as of Aug. 23 of this year,” Ewamura said, and asked the board to direct the clerk to advertise the resolution.
The measure is intended to recover unpaid service charges by placing them on property tax bills under state law. “The process of collecting the delinquent sewer service charges on the tax roll is provided by the Health and Safety Code section 54730.3,” Ewamura said during his presentation.
Why it matters: moving charges to the tax roll typically increases collection. Ewamura told the board that historically about 30% of accounts drop out before placement, and the district expects roughly 15,000 accounts ultimately to be placed on the roll. Board members pressed staff about outreach to customers and whether the district coordinates with its Lifeline Rate Assistance Program.
Director Orozco asked whether notices to delinquent ratepayers include information about payment help; staff said Lifeline outreach is being expanded but is not currently tied to the delinquency mailing process. “We’re doing a lot of enhanced outreach for Lifeline itself, but it’s not directly tied to the delinquencies,” Ewamura said. Board members asked staff to compare the district’s delinquent accounts to other utility assistance databases (for example SMUD’s) to see whether customers receiving low-income assistance are also showing as delinquent.
Board members also asked about fees and collection mechanics. Staff said the County Utilities Billing System charges delinquency fees and that when amounts go to the tax roll an additional 10% is added. Ewamura said commercial accounts represent a small share of the balance (about 2% based on the last review) and that a large percentage of delinquent dollars are eventually recovered.
The board approved the resolution by voice vote; staff said the resolution will be advertised in the legal notices for June 13 and July 2 and a public hearing will be held July 9 to receive objections and finalize the tax-roll placement.
Details for follow-up: board members requested additional analysis of the trend in delinquencies, coordination between delinquency notices and Lifeline outreach, and a breakdown of residential versus commercial delinquent balances.
The district did not receive public comment on the item at the meeting.
