Rancho Palos Verdes council approves 3.4% increase to Abalone Cove sewer charge

Arma Rondon, Rancho Palos Verdes city manager, said the city council voted to increase the Abalone Cove sanitary sewer system annual service charge by 3.4% to adjust for inflation and rising repair costs.

The increase applies to more than 100 properties in the Abalone Cove area that are assessed each year to help pay for the nearly $2,000,000 city-subsidized sewer collection system. Rondon said the annual assessment will result in the collection of $62,000 to offset operation, maintenance, repair and future updates to the system.

Council members and staff have said landside movement in the area has driven expenses well above previous years, requiring major repairs to keep the system operational. The council’s vote implements the 3.4% adjustment approved after a public hearing; the transcript does not record who made or seconded the motion or the individual vote tally.

The measure is intended to cover ongoing operating and repair costs rather than to fund unrelated city services. Rondon did not provide an implementation timetable for the new charge or whether affected property owners will receive separate notices; those details may be available in the full council materials.

"The annual assessment will result in the collection of $62,000 to offset the cost for operation, maintenance, repair, and eventually updates to the sewer collection system," Rondon said.

City staff information and meeting materials are available on the city website for additional specifics on the assessment calculation and timing.