City of Palmdale
Streetlight Maintenance Assessment Districts and Annexations Assessment Roll Summary
District /
Annexation
Parcel
Count (1)
2025/26
EDUs per
District
2025/26
Assessment
Amount
2025/26
Actual
Assessment
Rate per EDU
2025/26
Maximum
Assessment
Rate per EDU
47 153 153.000 20,191.41 131.97 131.97
48 108 108.000 14,252.76 131.97 131.97
49 16 217.800 28,742.99 131.97 131.97
50 1 28.560 3,769.06 131.97 131.97
51 2 37.560 4,956.78 131.97 131.97
52 185 185.000 24,414.45 131.97 131.97
53 25 25.000 3,299.25 131.97 131.97
54 21 21.000 2,771.37 131.97 131.97
55 79 79.000 10,425.63 131.97 131.97
56 8 50.760 6,698.76 131.97 131.97
57 41 41.000 5,410.77 131.97 131.97
58 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
59 62 62.000 8,182.14 131.97 131.97
61 11 140.360 18,523.25 131.97 131.97
62 70 70.000 9,237.90 131.97 131.97
63 32 32.000 4,223.04 131.97 131.97
64 85 85.000 11,217.45 131.97 131.97
65 78 78.000 10,293.66 131.97 131.97
66 34 34.000 4,486.98 131.97 131.97
67 59 61.000 8,050.17 131.97 131.97
68 66 66.000 8,710.02 131.97 131.97
69 78 78.000 10,293.66 131.97 131.97
70 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 132.28
71 38 39.000 5,146.83 131.97 131.97
72 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 132.28
73 38 38.000 5,014.86 131.97 131.97
74 372 372.000 49,092.84 131.97 131.97
75 388 388.000 51,204.36 131.97 131.97
76 83 83.000 10,953.51 131.97 131.97
77 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
78 1 22.840 3,014.19 131.97 131.97
79 46 46.000 6,070.62 131.97 131.97
80 15 15.000 1,979.55 131.97 131.97
82 168 168.000 22,170.96 131.97 131.97
83 38 38.000 5,014.86 131.97 131.97
84 40 40.000 5,278.80 131.97 131.97
85 90 90.000 11,877.30 131.97 131.97
86 40 40.000 5,278.80 131.97 131.97
87 33 33.000 4,355.01 131.97 131.97
88 1 0.830 109.53 131.97 131.97
89 90 90.000 11,877.30 131.97 131.97
90 3 118.640 15,656.91 131.97 131.97
91 93 93.000 11,810.07 126.99 126.99
92 1 35.600 4,698.13 131.97 131.97
95 16 16.000 2,111.52 131.97 131.97
96 106 106.000 13,988.82 131.97 131.97
City of Palmdale
Streetlight Maintenance Assessment Districts and Annexations Assessment Roll Summary
District /
Annexation
Parcel
Count (1)
2025/26
EDUs per
District
2025/26
Assessment
Amount
2025/26
Actual
Assessment
Rate per EDU
2025/26
Maximum
Assessment
Rate per EDU
97 92 92.000 12,141.24 131.97 131.97
99 174 174.000 22,962.78 131.97 131.97
100 2 4.030 531.83 131.97 131.97
101 66 66.000 8,710.02 131.97 131.97
102 60 60.000 7,918.20 131.97 131.97
103 52 52.000 6,862.44 131.97 131.97
104 58 58.000 7,654.26 131.97 131.97
105 42 42.000 5,542.74 131.97 131.97
106 204 163.200 21,536.28 131.97 131.97
107 3 53.380 7,044.54 131.97 131.97
108 1 16.000 2,111.52 131.97 131.97
109 1 16.000 2,111.52 131.97 131.97
110 5 32.000 4,223.01 131.97 131.97
111 59 29.500 3,892.82 131.97 131.97
113 1 14.560 1,921.48 131.97 131.97
114 28 28.000 3,695.16 131.97 131.97
115 50 50.000 6,598.50 131.97 131.97
116 111 111.000 14,652.00 132.00 132.00
117 2 45.000 5,938.64 131.97 131.97
119 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
120 3 39.480 5,210.16 131.97 131.97
121 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 132.28
122 62 62.000 8,182.14 131.97 131.97
123 117 117.000 15,440.49 131.97 131.97
124 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
125 1 23.000 3,035.31 131.97 131.97
126 2 22.000 2,903.34 131.97 131.97
127 1 96.000 12,669.12 131.97 131.97
128 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 132.28
129 41 41.000 5,410.77 131.97 131.97
130 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
131 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
132 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
134 2 17.000 2,243.48 131.97 131.97
135 1 38.280 5,051.81 131.97 131.97
136 1 6.400 844.60 131.97 131.97
137 1 18.600 2,454.64 131.97 131.97
139 8 8.000 1,056.00 132.00 132.00
140 11 343.200 41,685.03 121.46 121.46
141 16 186.720 24,641.36 131.97 131.97
144 93 93.000 12,273.21 131.97 131.97
145 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
146 3 16.520 2,180.13 131.97 131.97
147 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
148 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
149 1 7.760 1,024.08 131.97 131.97
City of Palmdale
Streetlight Maintenance Assessment Districts and Annexations Assessment Roll Summary
District /
Annexation
Parcel
Count (1)
2025/26
EDUs per
District
2025/26
Assessment
Amount
2025/26
Actual
Assessment
Rate per EDU
2025/26
Maximum
Assessment
Rate per EDU
150 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
151 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
152 1 20.440 2,697.46 131.97 131.97
154 8 43.800 5,780.25 131.97 131.97
186 56 112.000 3,609.76 32.23 32.23
203 1 26.200 12,225.44 466.62 466.62
TOTAL SLMD #1 6,671 9,174.880 $1,204,337.03
155 1 73.600 9,712.99 $131.97 $131.97
156 1 3.920 505.87 129.05 129.05
157 0 0.000 0.00 0.00 126.73
158 0 0.000 0.00 0.00 131.59
159 2 72.280 9,488.19 131.27 131.27
160 0 0.000 0.00 0.00 132.28
161 3 171.100 22,097.55 129.15 129.15
162 1 5.280 696.85 131.98 131.98
163 1 3.760 496.24 131.98 131.98
164 2 186.700 24,508.10 131.27 131.27
165 0 0.000 0.00 0.00 131.59
166 4 37.280 4,893.72 131.27 131.27
167 1 3.880 512.08 131.98 131.98
168 1 5.916 776.59 131.27 131.27
169 0 0.000 0.00 0.00 132.19
170 1 6.960 918.58 131.98 131.98
172 4 21.080 2,782.11 131.98 131.98
173 1 61.440 8,109.46 131.99 131.99
174 2 76.550 10,103.06 131.98 131.98
175 2 121.820 15,687.97 128.78 128.78
178 1 14.720 1,942.74 131.98 131.98
180 1 6.880 908.09 131.99 131.99
184 10 47.050 6,210.12 131.99 131.99
193 1 6.440 841.96 130.74 130.74
TOTAL SLMD #4 40 926.656 $121,192.27
800 1,417 1,417.000 183,558.18 $129.54 $129.54
801 2 63.918 8,263.94 129.29 129.29
TOTAL SLMD #2 1,419 1,480.918 $191,822.12
900 32 32.000 54,195.84 $1,693.62 $1,693.62
TOTAL SLMD #3 32 32.000 $54,195.84
91616 31,611 34,954.000 3,453,455.20 $98.80 $98.80
TOTAL SLMD #5 31,611 34,954.000 $3,453,455.20
TOTAL ALL SLMDs 39,773 46,568.454 $5,025,002.46
City Council Staff Report
DATE: JULY 1, 2025
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
ENGINEERING DIVISION
DISTRICT: ALL
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2025-031, A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALMDALE UPDATING THE
SEWER COLLECTION SERVICE CHARGE AND ORDERING THE
CONTINUATION OF THE CHARGE FOR THE OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE OF THE PALMDALE SEWER COLLECTION
SYSTEM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend that the City Council:
1. Hold the public hearing to accept public testimony; and,
2. Adopt Resolution No. CC 2025-031, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palmdale updating the Sewer Collection Service Charge and ordering the continuation of the charge for the operation and maintenance of the Palmdale sewer collection system for Fiscal Year 2025-26; and,
3. Authorize the Mayor to execute Resolution No. CC 2025 -031, ordering continuation of the Sewer Collection Service Charge for the Fiscal Year 2025-26.
BACKGROUND
In July 2009, the City took over maintenance and operation of the sewer collection system from the Consolidated Sewer Maintenance District (CSMD) of Los Angeles County. At that time, the City withdrew from CSMD and became responsible for the maintenance, operation, repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of the sewer collection system within the City boundary. The City-owned collection facilities convey wastewater to trunk sewers and treatment facilities owned by Sanitation Districts #14 and #20 of Los Angeles County.
Report to Mayor and City Council
Re: Resolution No. CC 2025-031
July 1, 2025
In order to fund the operation and maintenance of the sewer collection system, the City initiated notification and protest proceedings as specified in Section 53750 of the California State Government Code and Article XIII D of the California State Constitution.
On June 18, 2008, the City Council held a public hearing regarding the sewer system funding. A majority of property owners did not present written protests, and therefore the City Council passed Resolution CC 2008-056 which adopted the Fee. Additionally, on June 18, 2008, the City Council adopted Ordinance 1353 adopting Chapter 13.05 of the Palmdale Municipal Code establishing a Sewer Collection Service Charge. On April 1, 2009, the City Council adopted Ordinance 1361 amending Section 13.05. 130 of Chapter 13.05 of the Palmdale Municipal Code.
In 2020, the City initiated a rate study to review the sewer collection service charges .
The “Sewer Service Charge Analysis, Five Year Rate Proposal” (the “Rate Study”) was completed by Bartle Wells Associates in April 2020. The Rate Study determined that the City currently receives sufficient revenues from the Fee to provide its sewer collec tion services, sewer-related repairs, and capital projects. The analysis further states that the sewer enterprise fund is in good financial condition, and the Fee should continue to be applied unchanged at the rate of $103.63 per sewage unit for five years , from Fiscal Year 2020-21 to Fiscal Year 2024 -25. The City plans to continue assessing the same charge of $103.63 per sewage unit for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
DISCUSSION
The City worked with NBS to prepare the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Sewer Collection Service Charge Report dated June 2025, which contains the methodology for determining the Fee and assigning it to each parcel, estimates the cost for operations and maintenance of the sewer collection system, and lists the rate of the Fee.
The City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the approval of the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Sewer Collection Service Charge Report dated June 2025 and the ordering of the lev y for Fiscal Year 2025-26. Following the public hearing , the City Council will consider adoption of Resolution No. CC 2025-031, ordering the continuation of the charge for the operation and maintenance of the City’s sewer collection system and the continuation of the levy and collection of the Fee on the Los Angeles County tax rolls.
FISCAL IMPACT
$5,579,283.57; the proposed total Fee for Fiscal Year 2025-26 is $5,579,283.57. Details of the Fee are within the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Sewer Collection Service Charge Report , dated June 2025, included as an attachment.
Approval of the Fee would result in revenues that would fund the maintenance and operation of the sewer collection system owned and operated by the City for Fiscal Year Report to Mayor and City Council
Re: Resolution No. CC 2025-031
July 1, 2025
2025-26. The Fee for Fiscal Year 2025-26 is $103.63 per sewage unit, which is the same rate since Fiscal Year 2010-11.
STRATEGIC PLAN
Goal II: Ensure long-term fiscal health of the City and maintain funding for services.
A. Manage resources, costs, and liabilities to ensure the City’s long-term fiscal health.
B. Establish healthy reserves for ongoing replacement and repair of capital assets while stabilizing annual spending.
Prepared by: Leonardo Torres, Director of Public Works
Certified as to availability of Funds: Janelle Samson, Director of Operations Approved by: Salvador Mendez, City Manager Pro Term
Approved as to form: Alexandra Halfman, Acting City Attorney
ATTACHMENTS
Reso. No. CC 2025-031
Rpt Fiscal Year 2025-26 Sewer Collection Service Charge Report
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA
RESOLUTION NO. CC 2025-031
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALMDALE
UPDATING THE SEWER COLLECTION SERVICE CHARGE AND
ORDERING THE CONTINUATION OF THE CHARGE FOR THE
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF TH E PALMDALE SEWER
COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026
WHEREAS, the City of Palmdale owns the local sewer system and requires sufficient fees and charges to fund the operation, maintenance and replacement of the sanitary sewer system; and
WHEREAS, on June 4, 2008, the City Council adopted Resolution No. CC 2008-056 approving the Sewer Fee Report for the Palmdale Sewer System Analysis , dated April 2008 , to establish a Sewer Collection Service Charge to fund the collection, operation and maintenance of the Palmdale Sewer Collection System; and
WHEREAS, on June 18, 2008 , the City Council adopted Ordinance 1353 adopting Chapter 13.05 of the Palmdale Municipal Code establishing a Sewer Collection Service Charge on all properties within the corporate l imits of the City of Palmdale; and
WHEREAS, on April 1, 2009 , the City Council adopted Ordinance 1361, amending Section 13.05.130 of Chapter 13.05 of the Palmdale Municipal Code relative to sewer collection service charges and clarifying certain sewage un its in Section
13.05.130, Table A, to correct some errors in the number of sewage units for designated land uses; and
WHEREAS, in April 2020, the City prepared a Sewer Rate Study to review the Sewer Collection Service Charge , which determined that the sewer service charge rate of $103.63 per sewer unit , applied since Fiscal Year 2010-2011, provides sufficient revenue to fund the operations and maintenance of the sewer collection system and sewer related repairs and expansion as required, and therefore determined the sewer service charge rate should continue to be applied unchanged for the next five years, from Fiscal Year 2020-2021 to Fiscal Year 2024-2025; and
WHEREAS, City staff will submit an annual report each fiscal year determining the actual amount of sewer service charges to be levied and shall submit such annual report to the City Council for approval. After which, the sewer service charges may be levied and collected in the manner as set forth in Ordinance No. 1353, and Ordinance No. 1361; and
WHEREAS, on July 1, 2025 at the hour of 5:00 p.m. at the City Council Chambers located at 38300 Sierra Highway, Suite C, Palmdale, California, a public hearing was Resolution No. CC 2025-031
conducted by this City Council on the question of the levy of the proposed sewer service charge, notice of which hearing was given as required by law; and
WHEREAS, at the appointed time and place the hearing was duly and regularly held, and all persons interested and desiring to be heard were given an opportunity to be heard, and all matters and things pertaining to the continuation of the levy were fully heard and considered by this City Council, and all oral statements and all written protests or communications were duly heard, considered and overruled, and this City Council thereby acquired jurisdiction to order the levy and the confirmation of the sewer service charge prepared by and made a part of the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Sewer Collection Service Charge Report dated June 2025.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALMDALE DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE, RESOLVE , AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct.
SECTION 2. The City Council of the City of Palmdale hereby finds that the public interest and convenience requires th e continued maintenance and operat ion of the Palmdale Sewer System improvements within the City of Palmdale’s boundaries.
SECTION 3. The sewer service charges as set forth in the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Sewer Collection Service Charge Report dated June 202 5, or as modified, are hereby approved, confirmed, and adopted by the City Council.
SECTION 4. The sewer service charge r ates shown in Ordinance No. 1353 for Fiscal Years 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011 are the maximum sewer service charge r ates allowed for these years , and the sewer charge applied for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 is the same as the sewer service charge r ate approved since Fiscal Year 2010-2011, as justified by the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Sewer Collection Service Charge Report dated June 2025.
SECTION 5. The adoption of this Resolution constitutes the continuation of the levy of the sewer service charge rate of $103.63 per sewage unit for benefiting parcels for the operation and maintenance of the Palmdale Sewer Collection System for the Fiscal Year commencing July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026.
SECTION 6. The amoun t of sewer service charges to be assessed for the expenses of the maintenance, operation, and service , as described in the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Sewer Collection Service Charge Report dated June 202 5, Ordinance No. 1353, and Ordinance No. 13 61, shall be co llected at the same time and in the same manner as Los Angeles County taxes are collected. Sewer service charge revenue shall be disbursed and expended for the maintenance, operation, and service of the Palmdale Sewer Collection System, all as described in the annual Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Sewer Collection Service Charge Report and in Ordinance No. 1353.
Resolution No. CC 2025-031
SECTION 7. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution and shall file a certified copy with the Los Angeles County Auditor.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 1st day of July, 2025.
_________________________________
Approved as to form: Richard J. Loa, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________ _________________________________ Alexandra Halfman Rochelle Scott, City Clerk
Acting City Attorney
I, Rochelle Scott, City Clerk of Palmdale, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly passed, approved, and adopted by the City Council of the City of Palmdale at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 1st day of Ju ly, 2025 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: ___________________________________________________________
NOES: ___________________________________________________________
ABSTAIN: ______________________ABSENT:___________________________
Date: ______________________________ _____________________________ Rochelle Scott, City Clerk
nbsgov.com
Prepared by:
Corporate Headquarters
32605 Temecula Parkway, Suite 100
Temecula, CA 92592
Toll free: 800.676.7516
Fiscal Year 2025/26 Sewer Fee Report For:
Sewer Collection Service Charge
June 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background .............................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Process for Annual Fee ............................................................................................ 1
1.3 Legislative Context .................................................................................................. 2
2. Plans and Specifications .................................................................................................. 3
2.1 Parcel Inventory ...................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Property Classification ............................................................................................. 4
3. Estimate of Costs ............................................................................................................ 8
3.1 Estimated Costs and Revenue Required ................................................................. 8
4. Method and Rate of Calculation .................................................................................... 11
5. Sewer Fee Parcel Listing ................................................................................................ 12
City of Palmdale
Sewer Collection Service Charge - Fiscal Year 2025/26 Sewer Fee Report 1
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
In July 2009, the City of Palmdale (the “City”) took over the maintenance and operation of the sewer collection system from the Consolidated Sewer Maintenance District (CSMD) of Los Angeles County. At that time, the City withdrew from the CSMD and became responsible for the maintenance, operation, repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of the sewer collection system within the City’s boundary. The City- owned collection facilities convey wastewater to trunk sewers and treatment facilities owned by Sanitation Districts #14 and #20 of Los Angeles County.
In order to fund the operation and maintenance of the sewer collection system, the City initiated notification and protest proceedings as specified in Section 53750 of the California State Government Code and Article XIII D of the California State Constitution. Notices were mailed to property owners in areas currently served by the municipal sewer system or likely to be served by the municipal sewer system in the future. The notice explained the reason for the proposed Sewer Collection Service Charge (the “Fee”), the method by which the Fee is calculated, and the rates for Fiscal Years 2008/09, 2009/10, and 2010/11. The notice also included the time, date, and place of a public hearing for the Fee, and instructions that property owners could file written protests against implementation of the Fee. The notice specified that if a majority of property owners filed written protests, the Fee would not be charged.
On June 18, 2008, the City held the public hearing. A majority of property owners did not present written protests, and therefore the City passed Resolution CC 2008-082 which adopted the Fee.
In 2020, the City ordered a rate study to evaluate the sewer collection service charges for the next five fiscal years. The “Sewer Service Charge Analysis, Five Year Rate Proposal” (the “Rate Study”) was completed by Bartle Wells Associates in April 2020. The Rate Study shows that the City currently receives enough revenues from the Fee to provide its sewer collection services, sewer related repairs, and capital projects. The Rate Study analysis further states that the sewer enterprise is in good financial condition, and an increased rate above the current rate of $103.63 per sewage unit is not anticipated for five years.
The City plans to continue assessing the same charge of $103.63 per sewage unit.
The Fee funds only the maintenance and operation of the sewer collection system within the City and does not fund the maintenance and operation of either the trunk sewers or wastewater treatment facilities.
1.2 Process for Annual Fee
The resolution adopting the Fee specified that a written report shall be filed annually with the City Clerk, which contains a description of each parcel of real property receiving the Fee and the amount of the charge for each parcel for the year, computed as described by the resolution.
The City Clerk shall give notice of the filing of the written report, and of the time and place of the public hearing thereon. The City Council shall hear and consider all objections or protests, if any. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the City Council may adopt, revise, change, reduce or modify any charge or overrule any or all objections and shall make its determination upon each charge as described in said report. The City plans to continue assessing the same charge of $103.63 per sewage unit.
City of Palmdale
Sewer Collection Service Charge - Fiscal Year 2025/26 Sewer Fee Report 2
The Fee is collected at the same time and in the same manner as County taxes. The Fee roll is submitted each year to the Los Angeles County Auditor in August for inclusion on the Los Angeles County property tax bill.
1.3 Legislative Context
In 1996, California Voters adopted Proposition 218, the “Right to Vote on Taxes Act” which added Articles XIII C and XIII D to the California Constitution. Article XIII D, Section 6, specifically describes property related fees.
Proposition 218 provides for property-related fees to be levied to fund the cost of providing services, including sewer service, to property. Proposition 218 describes a number of important requirements, including property-owner notification and public hearings, for the imposition, increase, and extension of fees, and these requirements are satisfied by the process used to establish this Fee.
City of Palmdale
Sewer Collection Service Charge - Fiscal Year 2025/26 Sewer Fee Report 3
2. PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
The City owns approximately 400 miles of sewer mains and two pump stations. Effective July 1, 2009, the pump stations are operated and maintained by CSMD under an agreement with the City.
Sewer System Overview
2.1 Parcel Inventory
An inventory of parcels served by City sewers was obtained from CSMD in early 2008. This inventory was updated using GIS parcel and sewer main data, sewer connection permits, and aerial photographs to accurately identify parcels receiving sewer service from the City. In addition, property owners who contacted the City after receiving notice of the proposed Fee and provided evidence that the property was served by a septic system were removed from the inventory. Parcels with direct connections to trunk sewers maintained by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District (“CSD”) were also removed from the inventory. As of May 2025, the inventory shows 39,923 parcels are served by City sewers. A land use breakdown of the parcels is shown in the following table, Parcels by Property Type.
Table 1. Parcel by Property Type
Property Type Parcels
Residential 38,659
Multi-Family Residential 291
Commercial or Industrial 826
Other(1) 147
Total: 39,923
(1) Includes Golf Course, Government, Institutional, Parking/Storage and Vacant property types.
City of Palmdale
Sewer Collection Service Charge - Fiscal Year 2025/26 Sewer Fee Report 4
2.2 Property Classification
The initial property classifications for the Fee were set forth in an Engineer’s Report prepared by Bartle Wells Associates dated April 2008 and subsequently updated by Palmdale City Ordinance 1361 enacted on April 1, 2009. The classifications are based on property type and land use and designate a “sewage unit” value for each property type. The April 2008 report found that there was a “reasonable relationship” between the number of sewage units assigned to each property type and the relative sewage flow from these property types but suggested that the City may wish to perform a more detailed rate study to examine and confirm these relationships.
The property classifications and sewage units contained in Palmdale City Ordinance 1361 will be used for calculation of the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Fee, and are shown in the following table, Sewage Units by Property Type.
Table 2. Sewage Units by Property Type(1)
Land Use Number of Sewage Units
Residential
Single Residential Unit – Condominium 1.00
Planned Unit Development (PUD) 1.00
Single Residential Unit 1.00
Single Residential Unit with Pool 1.00
Single Residential Unit Pool and Miscellaneous 1.00
Single Residential Unit with Spa 1.00
Single Residential Unit with Guesthouse 1.00
Other Improvements Only 1.00
Double, Duplex or Two Units 2.00
Double, Duplex or Two Units with Pool 2.00
Three Units (Any Combo) 3.00
Three Units (Any Combo) with Pool 3.00
Four Units (Any Combo) 4.00
Four Units with Pool 4.00
Five or More Apartments per Individual Residential Unit 1.00 Five or More Apartments per Individual Residential Unit with Pool 1.00 Manufactured Homes
Manufactured Homes 1.00
Rooming/Boarding House
Rooming/Boarding House 3.00
Manufactured Home Parks 1.00
Manufactured Home Parks with Pool 1.00
Mobile Home Park 1.00
Commercial
Commercial – General 1.00
Vacant Parcel That Has Improvement Value Due to Existing Nonstructural Other Improvements 2.00
Stores
Stores 1.00
Stores Combination
Store and Office Combo 2.00
Store and Residential Combo with Lift 2.00
Store and Residential Combo 2.00
Department Store
City of Palmdale
Sewer Collection Service Charge - Fiscal Year 2025/26 Sewer Fee Report 5 Land Use Number of Sewage Units
Department Store 5.00
Discount Department Store 5.00
Building Supplies 5.00
Retail-Warehouse Combo 5.00
Department Store/Warehouse 5.00
Supermarket
Supermarket 5.00
Supermarket (1,199 Square Feet through 6,000 Square Feet) 5.00 Shopping Center (Neighborhood)
Shopping Center 10.00
Shopping Center with Lift 10.00
Shopping Center (Regional)
Shopping Center 30.00
Office and Government Building
Office and Government Building 5.00
Office and Residential (2-story) 5.00
Office Building (Loft Type Building) 3.00
Office and Residential 2.00
Hotel and Motel
Hotel and Motel (Under 50 Rooms) 25.00
Hotel (50 Rooms and Over) 40.00
Motel (50 Rooms and Over) 40.00
Motel (50 Rooms and Over with Pool) 40.00
Professional Buildings
Professional Building 5.00
Medical Dental Building 5.00
Medical Dental Building (2-story) 5.00
Veterinary Clinic 5.00
Restaurant, Cocktail Lounge
Restaurant, Cocktail Lounge 5.00
Fast Food – Walk Up 2.00
Wholesale and Manufacturing Outlet
Wholesale and Manufacturing Outlet 2.00
Bank, Savings and Loan
Bank, Savings and Loan 1.00
Service Shop
Service Shop 2.00
Service Station
No Additional Services 1.00
Service Station with Lift 1.00
Convenience Store 2.00
Self-Service with Lift 1.00
Self-Service Station 1.00
Self-Service with No Additional Services 1.00
With Carwash, with Lift 5.00
With Carwash, with No Additional Services 5.00
Auto, Recreational Equipment, Construction Equipment Sales and Service Auto, Recreational Equipment, Construction Equipment Sales and Service 1.00 Auto Body Repair Shop 1.00
Used Car Sales 1.00
New Car Sales and Service 3.00
City of Palmdale
Sewer Collection Service Charge - Fiscal Year 2025/26 Sewer Fee Report 6 Land Use Number of Sewage Units
Car Wash Only 5.00
Car Wash Only, Self-Service Type 5.00
Auto Service Centers (No Gasoline) 1.00
Parking Lot (Commercial Use Property)
Parking Lot with Lift 0.50
Parking Lot 0.50
Lots – Commercial Parking 0.50
Parking Lot Commercial 0.50
Nursery or Greenhouse
Nursery or Greenhouse 1.00
Vacant Land
Vacant Parcel That Has Improvement Value Due to Existing Nonstructural Other Improvements 2.00
Industrial
Miscellaneous Industrial 2.00
Light Manufacturing
Light Manufacturing with Lift 5.00
Light Manufacturing 5.00
Industrial Heavy Manufacturing 100.00
Warehousing Distribution Storage
Warehousing Distribution Storage Under 10,000 Square Feet 2.00 Warehousing Distribution Storage – 10,000 to 24,999 Square Feet 2.00 Warehousing Distribution Storage – 25,000 to 50,000 Square Feet 2.00 Warehousing Distribution Storage Over 50,000 Square Feet 2.00 Public Storage – Mini Warehouse 2.00
Food Processing Plant
With Wireless Communication Tower 200.00
Motion Picture, Radio, TV
General Motion Picture, Radio, TV 1.00
Lumber Yard
Lumber Yard 1.00
Mineral Processing
Mineral Processing General 2.00
Mineral Processing Cement/Gravel 2.00
Parking Lots – Industrial Use Open Storage 0.50
Vacant Parcel That Has Improvement Value Due to Existing Nonstructural Other Improvements 1.00
Open Storage 1.00
Irrigated Farms
Private Rural Pumping Plant 0.50
Irrigated Farm – Field Crops 0.50
Irrigated Farm – Fruit and Nuts 0.50
Irrigated Farm – Feed Lots 0.50
Dry Farm
Dry Farm – Fruit and Nuts 0.50
Dry Farm – Pasture 0.50
Dry Farm – Field Crops 0.50
Recreational
Theatre 2.00
Bowling Alleys
Bowling Alley 5.00
City of Palmdale
Sewer Collection Service Charge - Fiscal Year 2025/26 Sewer Fee Report 7 Land Use Number of Sewage Units
Clubs, Lodge Halls, Fraternal Organizations
Clubs, Lodge Halls, Fraternal Organizations 2.00
Athletic and Amusement Facilities
Athletic and Amusement Facilities 10.00
Commercial Swimming Pools, School 5.00
Athletic and Amusement Facilities – Gyms 2.00
Athletic and Amusement Facilities – Tennis 2.00
Golf Courses 3.00
Church
Church 2.00
Church Parking Lot 0.50
School
School 5.00
Hospital
Hospital 100.00
Convalescent Hospital, Nursing Home 50.00
Homes for Aged and Others
Homes for Aged and Others 10.00
Cemetery, Mausoleum, Mortuary
Cemetery, Mausoleum, Mortuary 1.00
Cemetery, Mausoleum 1.00
Miscellaneous
State Assessed Property Utility, Commercial and Mutual: Pumping Plant 5.00 (1) Source: Palmdale Municipal Code 13.05.130 Table A – Sewage Units for designated land uses.
City of Palmdale
Sewer Collection Service Charge - Fiscal Year 2025/26 Sewer Fee Report 8
3. ESTIMATE OF COSTS
Revenue from the collection of the Fee will fund expenses incurred by the City related to the operation and maintenance of its sewer collection system. These expenses include costs for labor, engineering and support staff time, staff and operating facilities, materials, equipment, operation, and maintenance of the sewer collection system. The City must also generate revenue to perform repairs, rehabilitation, and replacement of aging sewer mains. Capital expenditures are included in the estimated costs.
An initial five-year estimate of expenses required to operate and maintain the City sewer collection system was developed by City staff. These expenses include salaries and benefits for City staff that will be performing the maintenance and operational activities, professional engineering consulting services, and equipment purchases.
As previously mentioned, Bartle Wells Associates prepared a Rate Study in April 2020 to review the City revenues and expenses, in order to evaluate if the current Fee rate of $103.63 per sewage unit is adequate or if it should be increased. The Rate Study shows that the City currently receives enough funding from the annual Fee to provide its operation and maintenance of the sewer collection system, and to perform sewer related repairs and expansion as needed. It was also anticipated that the current sewage unit charge of $103.63 will be sufficient for the following five years. The City plans to continue assessing the same charge of $103.63 per sewage unit.
3.1 Estimated Costs and Revenue Required
The estimated cost of providing sewer collection services for Fiscal Year 2025/26, as prepared by City staff, and total estimated revenues, are shown in the following table, Summary of Estimated Costs and Revenues for Fiscal Year 2025/26.
City of Palmdale
Sewer Collection Service Charge - Fiscal Year 2025/26 Sewer Fee Report 9 Table 3. Summary of Estimated Costs and Revenues for Fiscal Year 2025/26 Description
Proposed
FY 2025/26 Costs(1)
Revenues
Sewer Service Charges $5,579,283.57
Other Revenues
Development Fees $804,210.00
Sewer Service Charges – Late Payments Fees and Delinquencies 20,400.00 Licenses & Permits 113,600.00
Finance - Pooled Cash 87,000.00
Subtotal – Other Revenues $1,025,210.00
Total Revenues $6,604,493.57
Expenses
Operation and Maintenance Costs
Personnel $1,939,050.00
Training and Meetings 39,000.00
Operating Expenses 2,476,330.00
Capital Outlay 0.00
Total Expenses $4,454,380.00
Capital Projects
Ongoing/Carryforwards $9,001,440.00
New 1,364,800.00
Total Capital Projects $10,366,240.00
Reserves
Capital Assets Replacement Fund (CARF) Additions (2) $1,320,898.71 Operating Reserve (Total Exp * 3/12)(3) 1,113,595.00
Total Reserves $2,434,493.71
(1) Per updated budget provided by City Staff in May 2025. (2) The Capital Assets Replacement Fund (CARF) is a reserve fund to be used for emergencies, replacement of aging facilities such as pipe replacement, lift stations, manholes, equipment, facilities, future expansion , and other miscellaneous items required for the operation of the sanitary sewer collection system. The purpose of CARF is to be available at all times for any unforeseen emergencies, repairs and/or infrastructure upsizing. The fund is automatically replenished to remain available for future emergencies as part of the responsible maintenance of the sewer system.
(3) The Operating Reserve is a three-month reserve fund needed to operate the sanitary sewer collection system. This is a revolving balance that is always available and replenished as used.
City of Palmdale
Sewer Collection Service Charge - Fiscal Year 2025/26 Sewer Fee Report 10 Based on the estimated costs and revenues, as detailed in the table above, the allocation of the costs per sewage unit is shown in the following table, Budget Allocation to Property for Fiscal Year 2025/26.
Table 4. Budget Allocation to Property for Fiscal Year 2025/26 Description
Proposed
FY 2025/26 Costs(1)
Budget Allocation to Property
Expenses $4,454,380.00
Contribution from Reserves (Expenses minus Revenues) 2,150,113.57 Other Revenues (1,025,210.00)
Total $5,579,283.57
Sewer Collection Fee
Sewage Units 53,838.5
Cost Per Sewage Unit $103.63
Total Budget(2) $5,579,283.57
(1) Per updated budget provided by City Staff in May 2025. (2) Includes rounding.
City of Palmdale
Sewer Collection Service Charge - Fiscal Year 2025/26 Sewer Fee Report 11
4. METHOD AND RATE OF CALCULATION
Determination of the Fee for each parcel served by the City sewer system is a two-part process:
• First, each parcel is assigned the appropriate number of sewage units based on the property type and land use of the parcel. The sewage units are listed in Table 2. Sewage Units by Property Type and correspond to the quantity of wastewater that a parcel discharges to the sewer collection system. One sewage unit is a benchmark value representing the quantity of wastewater discharged by a typical single-family residence. Since the Fee funds the maintenance and operation of the sewer collection system, the quantity of wastewater is of primary interest while the quality of wastewater has little or no effect on system operation. Therefore, the Fee is apportioned based on the quantity of wastewater conveyed from a parcel.
• The next step is to determine the total revenue required and the number of sewage units for parcels served by the City’s sewer collection system. The total revenue required is $5,579,283.57 as shown in Table 4. Budget Allocation to Property for Fiscal Year 2025/26. There are currently 53,838.5 sewage units within the area served by the City sewer collection system. Therefore, the Fee for Fiscal Year 2025/26 is $103.63 per sewage unit.
This rate of $103.63 per sewage unit remains unchanged and is the same rate used since Fiscal Year 2010/11, as it was specified in the notice mailed to property owners in 2008, as well as the April 2008 Engineer’s Report referenced in Resolution No. CC 2008-082 of the Palmdale City Council, dated June 18, 2008. Furthermore, the rate per sewage unit is also supported by the Bartle Wells Associates Rate Study dated April 2020.
This Fee represents the proportional cost of service attributable to each parcel as specified in Article XIII D, Section 6(b)(3) of the California State Constitution which specifies that:
The amount of a fee or charge imposed upon any parcel or person as an incident of property ownership shall not exceed the proportional cost of the service attributable to the parcel.
Fees for sewer collection are “property-related fees and charges” as described in Article XIII D of the California State Constitution.
City of Palmdale
Sewer Collection Service Charge - Fiscal Year 2025/26 Sewer Fee Report 12
5. SEWER FEE PARCEL LISTING
The parcel listing is a listing of the Fee apportioned to each lot or parcel, as shown on the last equalized roll of the County Assessor. The parcel listing for Fiscal Year 2025/26 is on file with the City Engineer and is incorporated by reference herein and made part of this Report.
The following table summarizes the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Sewer Fee:
Table 5. Fiscal Year 2025/26 Sewer Fee
Description Parcels Sewage Units
FY 2025/26 Fee
Per Sewage Unit
FY 2025/26
Fee Amount (1)
Sewer Collection Service Charge 39,923 53,838.5 $103.63 $5,579,283.57 (1) Includes rounding.