Turlock staff report $945,000 in sewer-bill aid for industrial users; program likely to exhaust funds by October

Director Fisher presented an update on the temporary industrial ratepayer assistance program the council adopted in October 2024 to ease the transition to new sewer rates.

“Funding came from $2,180,000.00 in penalty fees collected under TMC 6-4-505,” Director Fisher said, adding the program requires participating customers to waive their right to challenge adopted sewer rates. The program provides assistance equal to 25% of each participant’s total sewer bill; staff said the 25% offset is shared proportionally among participants as funding is drawn down.

Fisher told the council enrollment has grown from about eight participants in March to 15 now, with four additional accounts unresponsive to outreach. With June’s bills processed, staff has provided just under $945,000 in assistance covering the first six months of 2025. Fisher said staff anticipates the program’s funding will be fully used in the October billing cycle and that they will return with a final report once allocations are exhausted.

The presentation stressed the program is temporary and designed to smooth the transition after the sewer rate study took effect Jan. 1; the study showed industrial customers contribute roughly 32.8% of sewer revenue but bear more than half the system’s net cost. Council did not take additional action at the meeting beyond receiving the report; Fisher said staff will continue outreach to eligible ratepayers and will notify participants when assistance ends.