November 6, 2025
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CITY OF RIALTO / RIALTO UTILITY AUTHORITY
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED INCREASED WATER AND
SEWER/WASTEWATER RATES
Hearing Date & Time: January 13, 2026, 6:30 PM
Hearing Location: City Council Chambers
150 S. Palm Avenue, Rialto, CA 92376
Notice is hereby given that the City Council, as governing body of the City of Rialto (“City”) and the Rialto Utility Authority (“RUA”) will hold a joint public hearing in accordance with California Proposition 218 (California Constitution, Article XIIID, Section 6) on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m ., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, in the Council Chambers located at 150 South Palm Avenue, Rialto, California. The purpose of the public hearing is to consider proposed adjustments and increases to water and sewer/wastewater service charges provided by the City and RUA, and to hear and consider any public testimony, written protests, or written objections regarding the proposed rate changes.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The proposed increases to water and sewer/wastewater rates , including the amount of the rates, the basis upon which the rates were calculated, and the reason for the rates, are described in the Water and Wastewater Rate Study dated October 2025 (“Rate Study”), prepared on be half of the City and RUA by Water Resources Economics. That Study, as well as Utility Rate Setting Procedures, and additional documents and information supporting the proposed increases to the water and sewer/wastewater charges , are available for public review at Rialto City Hall, 150 S. Palm Avenue, Rialto, CA 92376, and online at www.rialtoca.gov/806/Water-Sewer-Rates. Alternative formats and translation services are available upon request by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (909) 820-2519 or [email protected] at least 72 hours prior to the hearing.
THIS NOTICE IS BEING MAILED TO THE OWNER AND CUSTOMER OF EACH PARCEL SERVED
BY CITY WATER OR SEWER/WASTEWATER SERVICES AT THE ADDRESS LISTED IN THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ASSESSOR’S DATABASE , AND THE ADDRESS WHERE BILLING STATEMENTS ARE SENT. AS A RESULT, YOU MAY RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE COPY OF THIS NOTICE. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY CAUSE.
THE PUBLIC HEARING SHALL ONLY APPLY TO WATER AND/OR SEWER/WASTEWATER
SERVICES PROVIDED BY RIALTO WATER SERVICES, AS AUTHORIZED BY THE CITY OF RIALTO AND THE RIALTO UTILITY AUTHORITY.
THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL NOT APPLY TO WATER SERVICES PROVIDED BY WEST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT (WVWD) OR FONTANA WATER COMPANY (FWC).
AMOUNT OF PROPOSED WATER AND SEWER /WASTEWATER RATES : The proposed increases to water and sewer/wastewater rates are set forth on Exhibit “A ,” with the increased rates being first effective on March 1, 2026 . Thereafter, the increased rates include scheduled annual increases , with effective dates no earlier than each January 1 from 2027 through 2030 , subject to a 30 -day prior mailed notice per Government Code Section 53756.
REASON FOR THE PROPOSED MODIFICATION OF WATER AND SEWER/WASTEWATER RATES, AND BASIS FOR CALCULATION: The proposed modification of the water and sewer/wastewater rates is to ensure the rate structure reflects the proportionate cost of providing those utility services to each customer. For water, the increases primarily cover an accrued deficit and operational costs for services provided by Rialto Water Services. For sewer, the increases address higher operating costs and partia lly fund necessary capital improvements to the wastewater treatment plant. The revenue from the modified rates will not exceed the amount required to cover the costs of providing adequate water and sewer/wastewater services to each customer. (see the Rate Study, referenced in “ADDITIONAL INFORMATION,” above, to obtain a detailed description of how the modifications were calculated.)
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RATE SETTING PUBLIC HEARING: Any member of the public has a right to submit written comments and present spoken testimony during the public hearing. However, only a property owner (which includes tenants directly liable to pay the rates) has a right to submit a Written Protest and/or a Written Objection as summarized below, and as described in mo re detail in the Utility Rate Setting Procedures (see “ADDITIONAL INFORMATION,” above).
HOW TO SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION: A written objection must be received by the City no later than 4 p.m., December 22, 2025, at 290 W Rialto Ave, Rialto, CA 92376. A written objection must comply with the requirements of the Utility Rate Setting Procedures, which incorporates the requirements of AB 2257, to particularly include:
Objector’s name, parcel number and/or service address. Objector’s signature or other verification of eligibility to submit objection. A statement that Objector’s communication constitutes a written objection for: (a) the proposed water rates, (b) the proposed sewer/wastewater rates, or (c) both the water rates and sewer/wastewater rates. A description of the nature of the written objection, with sufficient specificity to allow City staff to respond in writing. The objection must state the specific grounds for concerns with the proposed rates , and why they do not comply with the law, and mo re specifically, Proposition 218. The objection should include the desired resolution or outcome. A statement that the proposed rates violate Proposition 218 without an explanation as to the basis of the claim is not sufficient to constitute a valid written objection.
HOW TO SUBMIT A WRITTEN PROTEST: A written protest must be received by the City no later than the close of the public hearing on January 13, 2026. It may be mailed to 290 W Rialto Ave, Rialto, CA 92376, or hand -delivered to the City Clerk a t the place and time of the public hearing. A written protest must include:
Protestor’s name, parcel number and/or service address. Protestor’s signature or other verification of eligibility to submit objection. A statement that Protestor opposes: (a) the proposed water rates, or (b) the proposed sewer/wastewater rates. If a Protestor opposes both water rates and sewer/wastewater rates, a separate written protest must be submitted for each service provided (water and/or sewer/wastewater). A written protest must also comply with the following:
o A written protest must be submitted in paper form. Any non-paper form will not be accepted (such as email, facsimile, or spoken protests via telephone or in person). o Only one written protest will be counted for each proposed rate from each parcel served. Thus, since written protests for water rates are counted separately from the written protests for sewer/wastewater rates, one property owner could submit for the same parcel: one written protest for water and one written protest for sewer/wastewater.
PROCEDURE FOR PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERING WRITTEN OBJECTIONS AND WRITTEN PROTESTS: At the time stated above for the public hearing, the City Council (on behalf of the City and the RUA) will consider all written objections and protests, as well as a staff presentation of the proposed rate modifications and the City’s written response to written objections, along with spoken testimony and supplemental documents presented during the hearing, as related to the proposed rate modifications. The Council may continue the hearing as needed.
Prior to the close of the hearing, the City Council (on behalf of the City and the RUA) will determine if any clarifications or decreases will be made to the proposed rate mod ifications based on the written objections and protests and the City’s written responses . The City Council will then close the public hearing in order to count written protests. If there is a “majority protest” for the proposed modified water rates or the sewer/wastewater rates, the City and the RUA may not approve those proposed rates. There is a majority protest only if the number of timely written protests exceeds one-half of the parcels served by the City and RUA. Since the parcels receiving water service differ from the parcels receiving sewer/wastewater service, the determination of a majority protest for water rates will be separate from the determination of a majority protest for sewer/wastewater rates.
PRESERVING THE RIGHT TO CHALLENGE PROPOSED INCREASED WATER RATES AND SEWER/WASTEWATER RATES: You are hereby notified that, in order to file a judicial action or legal proceeding to challenge the proposed rates described in this Notice, you must file a timely written objection, and you must commence the action or proceeding within 120 days of the approval of the rates by the City Council on behalf of the City and the RUA.
Failure to submit a timely written objection bars any right to challenge the proposed rates through a judicial action or proceeding. (Government Code Section 53759.1(b).)
There is a 120-day statute of limitations for judicially challenging the rates set forth in this Norice that runs from the date of the City Council action to approve the rates, and any legal action is limited to the issues raised in a timely written objection. (Government Code Section 53759.)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This notice and supporting materials are available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Persons needing special assistance, disability accommodations, or translation services for the public hearing may contact the City Clerk’s Office at (909) 820 -2519 or [email protected] at least 72 hours before the hearing.
Do you need help paying your water or sewer bill? Customers aged 65 and over or households who have incomes at or below the Low-Income Limits may qualify for a 20% discount on the “Total Sewer Flat Rate.” For more information and how to apply, call (909) 820-2661.
EXHIBIT “A”
WATER CURRENT AND PROPOSED MONTHLY MINIMUM CHARGE:
Meter Proposed Monthly Minimum Charges
Size
As Of
1/1/2025 3/1/2026 1/1/2027 1/1/2028 1/1/2029 1/1/2030
1/2" & 5/8" $34.53 $42.48 $50.13 $58.66 $60.42 $62.24 3/4" $34.53 $42.48 $50.13 $58.66 $60.42 $62.24
1" $53.03 $65.23 $76.98 $90.07 $92.78 $95.57
1-1/2" $99.28 $122.12 $144.11 $168.61 $173.67 $178.89 2" $154.79 $190.40 $224.68 $262.88 $270.77 $278.90 3" $302.80 $372.45 $439.50 $514.22 $529.65 $545.54 4" $469.31 $577.26 $681.17 $796.97 $820.88 $845.51 6" $931.84 $1,146.17 $1,352.49 $1,582.42 $1,629.90 $1,678.80 8" $1,486.88 $1,828.87 $2,158.07 $2,524.95 $2,600.70 $2,678.73
WATER PROPOSED VOLUME CHARGE:
Volume Charge ($/ccf) As of
1/1/2025
Effective
3/1/2026
Effective
1/1/2027
Effective
1/1/2028
Effective
1/1/2029
Effective
1/1/2030
All Customers Except
Those Noted Below1
Tier 1 (0-9 units) $1.95 $2.40 $2.84 $3.33 $3.43 $3.54 Tier 2 (10-30 units) $2.19 $2.70 $3.19 $3.74 $3.86 $3.98 Tier 3 (31+ units) $3.19 $3.93 $4.64 $5.43 $5.60 $5.77 Multiple Apartments
Over 49 Units and Mobile
Homes
$2.35 $2.90 $3.43 $4.02 $4.15 $4.28
Landscape
Tier 1 $2.19 $2.70 $3.19 $3.74 $3.86 $3.98
Tier 2 $3.19 $3.93 $4.64 $5.43 $5.60 $5.77
Note:
1. This rate schedule designation includes Single Family, Multi-Family under 49 units, Government, and Commercial customer classes
FIRELINE CHARGES:
Fire Line
Charges
As of
1/1/2025
Effective
3/1/2026
Effective
1/1/2027
Effective
1/1/2028
Effective
1/1/2029
Effective
1/1/2030
3" $21.56 $26.52 $31.30 $36.63 $37.73 $38.87
4" $45.95 $56.52 $66.70 $78.04 $80.39 $82.81
6" $133.47 $164.17 $193.73 $226.67 $233.48 $240.49 8" $284.43 $349.85 $412.83 $483.02 $497.52 $512.45 10" $511.50 $629.15 $742.40 $868.61 $894.67 $921.52
HYDRANT CHARGES:
Hydrant Charges As of
1/1/25
Effective
3/1/2026
Effective
1/1/2027
Effective
1/1/2028
Effective
1/1/2029
Effective
1/1/2030
Water Use, $/ccf $2.70 $3.33 $3.93 $4.60 $4.74 $4.89 Per Day $3.43 $4.22 $4.98 $5.83 $6.01 $6.20
SEWER/WASTEWATER CURRENT AND PROPOSED RATES:
Extraterritorial (outside the borders of the City of Rialto) sewer fees have been established at one point three (1.3) times the current sewage charges per Resolution No. 6209 adopted January 8, 2013.
Current and Proposed Residential Charges:
Group 1 ($/ month/ residential
unit)
As of
1/1/2025
Effective
3/1/2026
Effective
1/1/2027
Effective
1/1/2028
Effective
1/1/2029
Effective
1/1/2030
Residential Single Family & Multi-
Family
$67.14 $70.50 $74.03 $77.74 $80.85 $84.09
Current and Proposed Non-Residential Charges:
Non-Residential ($/ccf) As of
1/1/2025
Effective
3/1/2026
Effective
1/1/2027
Effective
1/1/2028
Effective
1/1/2029
Effective
1/1/2030
Group II - Commercial $5.80 $6.09 $6.40 $6.72 $6.99 $7.27 Group III - Commercial $8.32 $8.74 $9.18 $9.64 $10.03 $10.44 Group IV - Commercial $12.06 $12.67 $13.31 $13.98 $14.54 $15.13 Group VI - Commercial $5.80 $6.09 $6.40 $6.72 $6.99 $7.27
Current and Proposed Non-Residential Charges:
School ($/ ADA/ month) As of
1/1/2025
Effective
3/1/2026
Effective
1/1/2027
Effective
1/1/2028
Effective
1/1/2029
Effective
1/1/2030
Elementary, Continuing, and Adult
Education
$1.00 $1.05 $1.11 $1.17 $1.22 $1.27
Junior High and High $2.30 $2.42 $2.55 $2.68 $2.79 $2.91