68700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero | Cathedral City | California | 92234 www.cathedralcity.gov
Community Update:
Sarah Street Area Sewer
Assessment District
In November 2024, the City of Cathedral City Engineering Division held a community meeting to discuss forming an Assessment District to f und sewer improvements for
properties within the Combined Sarah Street area.
Following that meeting, prope rty owners on Sarah Street requested additional information. In response, the City held a follow-up meeting on July 30, 2025, at City Hall, where staff presented project details, esti mated costs, and the proposed schedule.
We now ask each property owner to complete the enclosed survey card and return it to City Hall by November 14, 2025.
Survey results will help the C ity Council decide whether to move forward with project design.
Project Description & Location
The City is considering forming an Assessment District to fund sewer improvements along Sarah Street and Crossley Road. The project would replace outdated septic systems with a modern public sewer network by installing new sewer pipes, manholes, and property-line connections (stub-outs).
The new system will connect to the Desert Water Agency (DWA) sewer system at Ramon Road near the Walmart shopping center driveway entrance.
OCTOBER 2025
Please return the
enclosed survey to
City Hall by
November 14, 2025
Questions or Comments:
City of Cathedral City
760.770.0319
68700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero,
Cathedral City, California
92234
Ramon Road
Crossley Road
Sarah Street Area
Combined
Sarah Street Area
San Luis Rey Dr
Ramon Road
68700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero | Cathedral City | California | 92234 www.cathedralcity.gov
Estimated Property Owner Costs
The sewer improvements are estimated to cost $947,140 for construction. With financing costs for bond issuance, interest, and reserves, the total bonded cost is estimated at $1,183,925.
For the 19 benefiting properties, the estimated assessment is:
• One-time cash payment: Approximately $49,849 per property • Annual assessment: Approximately $5,548 per year for 10 years (collected with property taxes)
Additional private connection costs (work on your property) typically range from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on site conditions. These costs are the responsibility of the property owner.
68700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero | Cathedral City | California | 92234 www.cathedralcity.gov
Questions and Answers
Why Switch to Sewer?
Q. Why replace septic systems with sewers, even if a septic tank is still working? A. Many septic tanks are aging and failing, which can contaminate groundwater and create health risks. Septic systems are also harder to certify when selling a property, while a sewer connection removes that uncertainty.
Q. Who decides if the Assessment District is formed?
A. Property owners within the proposed district. The enclosed survey helps the City Council decide whether to proceed with design. After design, a formal Proposition 218 ballot proceeding will be held. An Assessment District can only be formed if a majority of property owner ballots submitted are in favor.
Q. How will sewers affect property value?
A. Properties connected to a sewer network generall y sell at higher value, since buyers avoid the risks and maintenance costs of septic systems.
Costs
Q. How much will this cost me?
A. Approximately $49,849 as a one-time payment, or about $5,548 per year for 10 years, on property taxes. Property owners w ill also pay separately for conne ction costs, typically ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. Additional costs may be required depending on the site conditions.
Q. Are there ongoing sewer service charges?
A. Yes. Once connected, Desert Water Agency bills property owners monthly. Current charges include $7.66 per month base fee, treatment cost s that vary by property type and use, and $14.00 per month grease trap fee if applicable.
For information on connection requirements and fees, visit the Desert Water Agency’s website:
https://dwa.org/customer-service/rates-billing/current-rates
Q. Will costs increase over time?
A. The cost of the assessment will not increase on ce the Assessment District is formed. Separate DWA monthly charges may change if adjusted by the agency.
Q. Does the assessment have to be paid off when selling a property? A. No. The assessment stays with the property and continues to be paid through property taxes unless prepaid.
Policy
Q. What kind of majority is needed to form the district? A. Under Proposition 218, an Assessment District can only be formed if a weighted majority of property owner ballots submitted are in favor during the formal ballot proceeding. Normally,
68700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero | Cathedral City | California | 92234 www.cathedralcity.gov
ballots are weighed by the assessm ent amount. For this project, how ever, all assessments are the same, so each property’s ballot carries equal weight.
Q. Will larger properties pay more than small ones?
A. No, for this project, all assessments are the same.
Q. What happens if costs change?
A. Assessments cannot be increased without a new ballot proceeding and approval by property owners. If construction costs excee d contingencies, the City will make every effort to cover overruns using available interest earnings on project funds and by negotiating with the contractor.
If the project is completed under budget, any extr a funds will be returned to property owners through reduced assessments or refunds.
Q. If I am considering remodeling and need to put in a new septic system, will the requirement be waived since the Assessment District is being considered? A. No. There are no assurances that the Assessment District will be formed.
Construction
Q. What is the construction schedule?
A. The design phase is expected to last 6-9 months. The bidding and award process typically takes about 3 months. Construction will follow the City Council’s approval and will last approximately 4 months.
Q. Will properties be able to connect as construction is completed? A. Yes. The sewer project will be built in phases. Once sewer lines are connected to the Desert Water Agency sewer system, properties in that ar ea may connect. The City will install stub-outs to the property line, and property owners will be responsible for connecting their plumbing to the stub-out.
(See DWA rates link above)
Q. How do the septic system and cesspools get abandoned? A. Property owners will be responsible for pumping a nd then filling their septic tanks with inert materials such as dirt, sand, or gravel. Cesspools, if present, should also be filled.
68700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero | Cathedral City | California | 92234 www.cathedralcity.gov
Survey
Purpose:
This survey will be used by the City Council to assist in making a decision to proceed with the design and environmental review phase of the sewer project. Responding “Yes” on the survey will indicate your current support for the sewer project and will encourage City Council to commit the funds necessary to proceed with such final design and environmental review.
Results:
If a majority of the property owners respond “yes” to this survey, the City Council may authorize the design phase of the project. Once the design phase is completed, the City will initiate formation proceedings. The formation proceedings will include an assessment ballot proceeding, allowing property owners to submit assessment ballots in support of or in opposition to the assessments at that time.
Submission:
The City Council will have the authority to form the Assessment District and levy the proposed assessments only if more assessment ballots are submitted in favor of the proposed assessments than assessment ballots submitted in opposition to the proposed assessments during the formal proceedings.
Please complete and return the enclosed survey by November 14, 2025, using the prepaid envelope provided. For questions, contact Andrew Lee at 760-770-0319, or by email at [email protected].
This survey is for information-gathering purposes. Participation in this survey does not constitute your assessment ballot in support of or opposition to any proposed assessment.