Bakersfield officials explain proposed sewer-rate increase, Proposition 218 process

Assistant Water Director Yvette Roldan told the City of Bakersfield’s Something Better podcast that the city is proposing a five-year sewer-rate schedule to shore up the Sewer Enterprise Fund and pay for aging treatment plants and rising operating costs.

“Everything having to do with the collection system and the treatment plants, they are only funded by sewer rates,” Roldan said. “We have had reserves in the past and we have slowly been stripping away at those reserves.” She said COVID-related supply and chemical-price spikes, higher electricity costs and city growth have all increased operating expenses.

The city sought and received authorization Feb. 11 to mail a Proposition 218 notice that will show the proposed rates through July 1, 2030, a breakdown of how revenue would be allocated (administration, emergency, capital improvements, and operations and maintenance) and instructions for filing written protests. Roldan said about 106,500 parcels connected to the city sewer system will receive notices; the final mailing deadline to reach post offices is March 6, with some residents likely to see mailings a few days earlier.

Under the Proposition 218 process Roldan described, if a majority of affected parcel owners (50% plus one) submit valid written protests before the public hearing the proposed rate schedule is vetoed and the council would have to revisit alternatives. Based on the city’s parcel count, she estimated that would require roughly 53,000 written protests. If fewer than a majority object, the City Council may vote to adopt the rates following the public hearing scheduled for the April 22 council meeting (5:15 p.m.).

Roldan said the proposed rates would become effective July 1, 2026, if adopted by the council. She explained billing timing: commercial accounts typically see July consumption reflected in August billings, while residents commonly see changes in September billing cycles.

Roldan described the condition of the city’s treatment infrastructure, noting Plant No. 2 dates to 1939 and last saw a major upgrade in 1997; many components have exceeded typical 20-year lifecycles. She said the notice will direct people to the city website for the full engineering report listing projects funded by the rates and will explain how to submit a valid written protest (parcel number, owner information, wet signature and parcel APN).

The city has conducted outreach across wards and to local organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers and Rotary and is offering facility tours and staff presentations. Roldan encouraged residents with questions to review the mailed notice, visit the city website and contact city staff using the information on the notice.

Next procedural steps: mailed Proposition 218 notices beginning the first week of March (final mail date March 6), a 45-day review period during which written protests may be filed, and the April 22 public hearing before the City Council. If the council adopts the schedule, rates would take effect July 1, 2026; if written protests meet the majority threshold, the proposal would be blocked and city staff would return with alternatives.