Urgent: The City Wants to Quietly Double Your Sewer Charges—Here’s How to Fight Back

SEWER CHARGES - The City of Los Angeles is moving forward with a plan to double your sewer charges under the guise of a simple “let us know your thoughts” inquiry. If successful, this move will result in significant financial burdens on residents and businesses, with rates doubling over the next four years. The deadline to protest this alarming rate increase is fast approaching—Tuesday, August 27th, 2024, at 5:00 PM.

The Hidden Agenda Behind the Rate Increase: In an attempt to bypass a formal tax increase ballot measure, the City is leveraging its monopoly power to impose a massive cost increase on residents. This maneuver is aimed at covering the hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds lost due to failed policies. The proposed Sewer Service Charge rate increase would amount to $700 million over the next four years, starting with a 22% hike in October 2024.

Lack of Transparency and Public Engagement: What’s most concerning is the lack of transparency surrounding this proposal. The Bureau of Sanitation has conducted minimal outreach, leaving ratepayers in the dark. There has been little to no opportunity for the public to review the financial details, analyze the proposed rate increase, or voice their concerns in a meaningful way. The absence of independent third-party review further underscores the need for greater scrutiny.

The Potential Impact on Your Wallet: If you’re currently paying $200 per month for water, you could be looking at a bill of $400 within four years—an eye-watering doubling of costs. This rate increase is not just a matter of administrative adjustments; it’s a significant financial hit that residents and businesses should not be forced to bear without a say.

Act Now—Here’s How to Protest: You have the power to voice your opposition, but time is running out. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Print and Fill Out the Protest Form: Click HERE to download and print the Proposition 218 Protest Form. Fill it out completely.
2. Mail Your Completed Form: Send your completed form to:

City of Los Angeles

Office of the City Clerk

Election Division

555 Ramirez Street, Space 300

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Deadline: Your written protest must be received no later than 5:00 PM on Tuesday, August 27th, 2024.

3. Attend the Public Hearing: Join your neighbors at the public hearing on Tuesday, August 27th, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Los Angeles City Hall, 200 North Spring Street, Room 340, Los Angeles. Note that oral comments at the public hearing do not count as official protests—you must submit your protest in writing.

Community Action: The Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council (GTLNC) has already taken a stand, unanimously passing a resolution to oppose the proposed Sewer Service Charge Rate Increase at its meeting on Tuesday, August 20th, 2024. You can view GTLNC’s resolution here.

Conclusion: The proposed rate increase is not just a financial matter—it’s about ensuring that the City remains accountable to its residents. Don’t let this critical issue slip by without making your voice heard. Act now by submitting your protest and attending the public hearing. Together, we can hold the City accountable and demand transparency in decisions that impact our wallets and our community.

(This article is submitted by Tess Taylor as an individual. The affiliations mentioned are for identification purposes only. Tess Taylor is the President of the Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council and the West Toluca Lake Residents Association.)