Frequently Asked Questions

The City is dedicated to maintaining affordable rates by maintaining lean staffing levels and utilizing reserves when necessary. However, similar to other utilities such as wastewater, electricity, and gas, the expenses associated with purchasing, pumping, treating, and delivering water, as well as maintaining the water system infrastructure, are continually increasing. To mitigate the impact on water utility customers, the City has actively pursued grant funding for essential capital projects. Recently, the City secured over $6.3 million in grants to construct a new water tank at Centimudi.  As a result, the City has not increased rates on our customers since 2021, even though inflation has increased 18% during the three-year period.   Failure to adjust rates could lead to a deficit in the water fund by 2026, necessitating support from the General Fund, potentially resulting in cuts to vital services like law enforcement and parks.

If adopted, the water rates will take effect on the first bill where the entire service period is July 1, 2024, or later. These bills will be sent to customers beginning in August 2024. 

Often confused with flat rates, the big difference is that a uniform rate uses water meters. A set (uniform) fee is charged to all customers based on how much water they consume. Unlike a Flat rate that would charge a customer a set rate regardless of how much water they consumed.

Only the Residential customer class. All other customer classes (Multi-Family, Mobile Home Park, Commercial, Industrial, Government, and Schools) are already billed under a Uniform Rate structure. The current rate chart below supports this:

Yes, please view our Rent and Utility Programs Flyer or call Customer Service at 530-275-7400.Rent and Utility Assistance Flyer

A water capital improvement project involves significant investments to upgrade or expand water infrastructure, such as treatment plants, pipelines, and pumping stations. These projects aim to improve water quality, reliability, and efficiency in supplying water to communities.

The 2024 Water Rate Study is planning a 5-year capital improvement program that includes the following projects:

Proposition 218, also known as the "Right to Vote on Taxes Act," is a California ballot proposition that was approved by voters in November 1996. This proposition amended the state constitution to impose requirements for local governments regarding the imposition, increase, or extension of various taxes, assessments, and fees.

Key provisions of Proposition 218 include:

1. Voter Approval for Taxes: It requires that local governments obtain approval from a majority of voters before imposing or increasing general taxes, special taxes, or certain assessments.
2. Assessment and Fee Limitations: Proposition 218 limits the ability of local governments to impose assessments or fees on property owners without their consent. Assessments must be proportional to the special benefit received by the property, and property owners must be given the opportunity to protest such assessments.
3. Property Owner Consent: Before imposing or increasing a fee or charge for a property-related service, such as water, sewer, or refuse collection, local governments must obtain the consent of affected property owners through a vote or a protest process.
4. Requirement for Special Elections: Proposition 218 mandates that taxes or assessments proposed by local governments be submitted to voters during a general election or a special election, rather than being decided by a vote of the local government's governing body.

Overall, Proposition 218 aims to increase transparency and accountability in local government finance by giving voters more control over tax and fee increases and ensuring that property owners have a say in the imposition of assessments and fees related to property services.  The 2024 Water Rate Study requires Prop 218 to be implemented.