Los Altos resident Feraydoon Jamzadeh expressed shock when he received an April 18 letter from the city about sewer rate increases. City officials project 15% increases annually through fiscal year 2027-2028.
“It is proposed to increase it by 15% every year for the next five years,” Jamzadeh wrote to the Town Crier. “The inflation rate in 2022 was 8%. It was a record high since the early 1980s. The 15% rate increase that the city is proposing for the next five years does not make any sense. It is unreasonably high.”
“The sewer rates basically double over a five-year period,” added Los Altos resident Mary-Sonja Beasley. “If my payments for sewer service are going to increase twofold in 5 years, I would like to understand why.”
The city of Los Altos letter sent to residents notes: “The city charges these rates to fund its costs to provide sewer service collection, including operating costs and contracted treatment costs at the city of Palo Alto’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. Increases to sewer rates will enable the city to continue delivering safe and reliable sewer service.”
Aida Fairman, director of the city’s environmental services and the utilities department, explained where funds generated by the rate hike will be directed.
“The sewer service charges will pay for the operations and maintenance, and minor and major capital improvement plans, including any current debt obligations to the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant,” she said. “Also, the sewer service charges will pay for the operation and maintenance and capital improvement plans for the city of Los Altos.”
Los Altos levies a fixed service charge and a “volumetric” rate based on use. Current rates are $301.29 annually for the fixed rate and $2.42 per hundred cubic feet (HCF, equaling 748 gallons of water). Rates for fiscal year 2023-2024 are projected at $340.49 fixed and $3.30 per HCF. According to Jamzadeh, that’s a 13% increase for the fixed rate and a 36% increase for the HCF.
A recent sewer rate study shows Los Altos with the second-lowest cumulative rate ($562.65 for single-family residences) in a comparison of nine Santa Clara County cities and sanitary districts (see graphic on this page). Neighboring Mountain View’s is currently $601.20.
Letters of protest
Residents can protest the rate changes, but state regulations under Proposition 218 (requiring that residents vote on a utility tax hike) require 50% plus one needed to vote them down. Residents must provide written protests before the closing of a June 13 public hearing by the Los Altos City Council. Only one written protest is allowed per parcel, and it must be signed by the property owner and mailed or dropped off at the city clerk’s office. No emailed protests are accepted.
Barring a 50%-plus-one outcome, the new rates would take effect July 1.
According to a city staff report presented to council members in February: “If the sewer rates are not increased, the city of Los Altos won’t meet its contractual obligations to the cities of Palo Alto and Mountain View, in which case the city … can get sued and/or will not be able to discharge its sewage into the Palo Alto Treatment Plant. Or if the city … cannot pay for needed upgrades, Palo Alto and Mountain View may abandon those upgrades. The system would eventually fail, which would have consequences to the environment and public health, and state and federal agencies would issue fines and other sanctions.”
One resident called for balance.
“I understand that maintaining and improving our sewer system is crucial, but it should not be done at the expense of the residents who are already struggling to make ends meet,” said Steve Macias in a letter to the editor. “Many families in our community are already facing financial hardships, and this sudden increase will only add to their burden.”
Residents can use protest forms accompanying the sewer increase letters or can submit their own separate, signed letters. The results of the vote will be announced at the conclusion of the June 13 public hearing. Council members have the option to amend the rate plan.
The city’s website offers information on the sewer fees and Proposition 218. Fairman said the city is answering the public’s questions and including the questions and answers on its website.
For more information, visit losaltosca.gov/publicworks/page/sewer-service-charge-calculation.
