Pleasanton homeowners could see a big jump in their sewer bills next year. The City Council will hold a public hearing on new sewer rates on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber at 200 Old Bernal Ave.
What's proposed
According to Pleasanton Weekly, the bimonthly fixed charge for single-family homes would rise from about $31 to $57 in the first year. It would then increase each year until it reaches nearly $76 in 2030. For condominiums, the charge would go from $21.65 to $39.51, and for multifamily homes from $16.49 to $39.50. Both would reach $52.61 by 2030. The city's notice says that if adopted, the new rates take effect Jan. 1, 2027, with increases each July 1 after that.
Why
The city's notice says the system includes 260 miles of gravity pipelines, 11 lift stations and 21,015 service connections. A July city press release quoted by Pleasanton Weekly said rates have risen only with inflation, "a total increase of just $5.58 since 2019." The city says that hasn't kept up with costs for an aging system. Some residents have objected. One told the council on Oct. 20 that he supports a reliable sewer but doesn't think the plan is fair and would prefer a slower phase-in.
How to protest
Under Proposition 218, the rates can't be adopted if owners or account holders for a majority of affected parcels submit written protests. The city's notice says protests must be in writing and mailed or hand-delivered to the City Clerk, 123 Main Street, Pleasanton, by the end of public comment at the Nov. 17 hearing. Only one protest counts per parcel, and emailed or faxed protests won't count. You can still speak at the hearing, but spoken comments aren't counted as formal protests.