Board approves second reading to raise sewer use fees for several South Lake sanitation districts

The Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, meeting in its capacity as the district board on June 2, held a second reading and adopted an ordinance amending Section 721B of the sewer use ordinance (Appendix A of the Lake County Ordinance Code) to increase sewer use fees for South Lakeport, Lands End and Reeves Point (AD9‑1 and AD9‑3).

Special districts staff and consultant Allison presented a rate study and described smoothing adjustments designed to reduce steep short‑term increases after long gaps between rate studies. Consultants said they selected intermediate flow estimates (for example averaging expected flow per student across school categories) to simplify and consolidate rate categories.

Board members repeatedly emphasized that failing to update rates after many years could leave small districts unable to operate and that consolidation and risk‑pooling could reduce volatility and provide resilience after wildfire or other shocks. Staff said they have applied for a grant to study consolidation options in several service areas (including Kelseyville/Soda Bay) and noted potential annexation processes with the city of Lakeport as one pathway to spread costs.

A public commenter, Tom Lasik, urged the board to give formal direction to special districts on risk pooling so districts could return with concrete proposals. The record shows a motion to adopt the ordinance and a vote recorded in the minutes as "that carries 4‑1." No additional implementation funding was requested in the hearing.

Board members said they supported exploring consolidation and grant opportunities to reduce future rate pressure for small districts.