It is recommended that the City Council adopt the following resolution:

From 1968 to 1978, the City of West Covina funded the costs of sewer maintenance and operation through the Improvement Act of 1911 ("1911 Act"), which provided an ad valorem (according to value) levy used to pay for these costs. With the passage of Proposition 13, the revenues generated from the 1911 Act were reduced considerably and made it necessary to find an alternative method of funding sewer maintenance and operation costs. In Fiscal Year 1978-79, the City Council established the Citywide Sewer Service Charge pursuant to Section 38902 of the Government Code as the alternative method.

The Sewer Service Charge funds the maintenance and operation of the City’s sewer system, assuring that lines are clear and flowing properly. This includes routine video inspections, jetting, and cleaning of sewer lines. The fees also fund capital improvements, including rehabilitation/replacement of sewer mainlines and appurtenances and purchase of sewer maintenance equipment.

The Sewer Service Charge is based on general land use categories: residential and non-residential. A fixed fee is charged for each dwelling unit for residential property and every 667 square feet of floor area for other types of non-residential developments. Additionally, properties not connected to the sewer main lines are exempt from the charge.

Since adopting the five year sewer service charge schedule on June 6, 2017, the City Council has maintained the sewer service charge at $82.02 per unit, including FY2024-25 and FY 2025-26. Staff recommends continuing the same rate for the current fiscal year.

State law requires that a specific procedure be followed to collect the Citywide Sewer Service Charge on the annual property tax bill. The initial step is to adopt a resolution setting a date for a public hearing on the proposed rates and method of collection. The process requires that a public notice be published in a locally circulated newspaper announcing the public hearing. Mailing notices to each property owner is only required when the charges are increased above the current sewer service rate.

At the public hearing, the property owners are given an opportunity to voice their concerns about the method of collection. The most efficient and least costly method of collecting the Citywide Sewer Service Charge is to place it on the annual property tax bill. The Citywide Sewer Service Charge will then be collected at the same time and in the same manner as the general property taxes.

The proposed resolution sets the public hearing for July 21, 2026 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, in the City Council Chambers.

The proposed Sewer Service Charge will remain unchanged from the rate in effect for fiscal years 2018 through 2025. To view the Sewer Assessment Roll and other documents pertaining to the Sewer District, please visit the City's website's Engineering Division page, labeled Landscape Maintenance Districts, or visit the website.

The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the resolution and approved it as to form.

The City Council has the following options: 
1.    Approve Staff's recommendation; or
2.    Provide alternative direction.