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Ukiah council approves sewer‑rate increases after Prop 218 hearing; 12 protests reported
Summary
Following a Proposition 218 protest hearing and staff presentation, the council adopted a resolution to adjust sewer rates (first‑year 6% increase, then successive 4% increases); staff reported 12 written protests, below the threshold to block action.
The Ukiah City Council adopted a resolution adjusting sewer service rates after a Proposition 218 public hearing. Finance Director Dan Buffalo and consultant Mark Hildebrand presented the rate study and explained the proposed sequence of increases designed to rebuild utility reserves and fund capital projects.
Mark Hildebrand, the city’s rate consultant, described the approach to allocating fixed versus variable costs. “The balance right now is about 65% fixed revenue and 35% variable, which is pretty common for wastewater utilities,” he said. Dan Buffalo summarized the rate schedule presented to the council: a 6% increase in the first year followed by successive 4% increases in later years to meet bond and capital needs.
Staff said the city received 12 protests against the rate adjustment during the protest period. Buffalo told the council that the raw count of 12 protests was below the threshold that would legally prevent the council from acting at this hearing. The public hearing was opened and closed with no in‑chamber protest speakers; councilmembers discussed consumer protections and resources for customers facing payment difficulty.
After brief council discussion the resolution to adopt the sewer service rate adjustments passed by roll call vote (Roden yes; Chris yes; Orozco yes; Vice Mayor Schur Aye; Mayor Crane Aye). Staff noted outreach and customer assistance options, including payment plans.
