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Residents urge County to investigate rising tenant utility and 'junk' fees; Board will schedule informational report
Summary
Multiple residents and community groups reported new utility and garbage fees (RUBS) being added to tenant bills — in some cases hundreds of dollars monthly — and asked Alameda County to explore policy responses. Supervisor Miley directed staff to agendize an informational report with County Counsel and HCD for July 24.
Several residents and community organizers told the Unincorporated Services Committee they are experiencing new utility and garbage fees, commonly referred to as RUBS (ratio utility billing systems), that in some cases add hundreds of dollars to monthly housing costs.
Kristen Hackett of MyEden Voice said outreach to residents across multiple buildings found 84% were paying additional monthly charges for garbage, water or sewer that historically had been included in rent; Hackett said one family reported paying as much as $700 extra per month. Other commenters described seniors and disabled residents struggling with added fees and urged the County to pursue remedies used by cities such as Salinas, Mountain View, Oakland and Berkeley.
Speakers asked the Board to direct staff to assess legal and policy options, including a possible ordinance banning or regulating RUBS and other so‑called 'junk fees.' Supervisor Miley responded that staff will schedule an informational report with County Counsel and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for the July 24 Unincorporated Services meeting to explain what the County can and cannot do and to explore next steps.
Community garden and other non‑agenda items: Separately, speakers from Empowering Families in Ashland described stewardship of 'La Huerta,' a garden site adjacent to Fire Station 24 that has produced food for the community, and asked for help maintaining access until a planned fire station construction requires the site. Supervisor Miley said staff would follow up with the group.
Next steps: The committee requested an informational report on junk fees to return July 24 and advised staff to include County Counsel and HCD; the meeting did not produce a Board policy decision that night.
