Lake County board hears large proposed sewer rate hikes; agrees to start notices for Land's End, delays Southeast while reserves are reconciled

The Lake County Board of Supervisors, sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board, on Friday heard consultant presentations on proposed five‑year sewer rate plans that would raise typical bills sharply in two small service areas and left the Southeast proposal on hold while staff reconciles reserves and the community recovers from a recent sewer spill.

Consultant Allison told the board Land's End (the small collection system that sends wastewater to the City of Lakeport) serves about 230 customers — roughly 470 residents — and is running a structural deficit. "You're collecting about $230,000 in revenues," she said, "but costs are about $280,000," with the primary driver identified as Lakeport treatment charges passed through to the district. Allison said the study proposes raising the residential base fee from about $73 per month to about $126 and increasing a capital‑improvement charge, a move that would add about $56.60 a month in the first adjustment.

Robin Boret, the county's special districts administrator, said the board would mail Proposition 218 notices in English and Spanish to…