Big Bear City CSD adopts higher water, sewer and solid waste rates after Proposition 218 hearing

The Big Bear City Community Services District Board of Directors on May 5 adopted Resolution 2025-07 to raise rates for water, sewer and solid waste and authorized collection of the charges on the property tax roll.

Finance Officer Jeanette Prickett told the Board the District retained Raftelis to perform a cost-of-service analysis and rate study. Prickett said the study recommends a 9.5% annual revenue adjustment for both water and sewer (keeping the existing rate structure but revising tier breakpoints). For solid waste, Prickett summarized a multi-year schedule: a 13% overall revenue adjustment for fiscal year 2026, 10% for fiscal years 2027 and 2028, 6% for fiscal year 2029 and 3% for fiscal year 2030.

President John Russo opened and closed the noticed Proposition 218 protest hearing during the May 5 meeting. Human Resources Manager and Board Secretary Morgan Szabad reported that the District received seven written protests but that no majority protest exists under the Proposition 218 process. Upon a motion by Director Larry Walsh, seconded by Director Bob Rowe, the Board adopted Resolution 2025-07 by unanimous vote (Directors Bob Rowe, JoKay Rowe, John Russo, Larry Walsh and Al Ziegler voting yes; none opposed, absent or abstaining).

The resolution authorizes the District to collect approved charges on the property tax roll; the Board record cites the full resolution in the District's Resolution and Ordinance Book Number 36 for details. The public hearing on the proposed increases was noticed to affected property owners and customers at least 45 days in advance.

Next steps recorded in the meeting minutes indicate the adopted resolution will be filed with the District records; implementation details and bill impacts will vary by meter type and consumption under the revised rate schedules.