TO: HONORABLE MAYOR FROM: Jeff Provenzano
AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: See Below DATE: May 29, 2025
Approved Date
5/29/25
SUPPLEMENTAL
SUBJECT: Public Hearing on Sewer Service and Use Charges and Storm Sewer Service Charges
REASON FOR SUPPLEMENTAL
This supplemental memorandum reports on the written protests received in response to public notices regarding proposed Sewer Service and Use Charges and Storm Sewer Service Charges, effective July 1, 2025.
ANALYSIS
Notices were mailed to 245,118 property owners advising them that a public hearing would be held on June 3, 2025, regarding City Council consideration of Sewer Service and Use Charge and Storm Sewer Service Charges rates proposed to take effect July 1, 2025. In accordance with Proposition 218, customers were given at least 45 days to file written protests of the proposed rate increases.
As of Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the City Clerk’s Office has received 576 protests in response to the Sewer Service and Use Charge public notice, which represents less than one percent of all customers impacted by the change in rates. Protest letters may be submitted through the close of the Public Hearing, at which point the City Clerk will provide a count of all protests received during the protest period.
In compliance with California Assembly Bill 2257, Local government: property-related water and sewer fees and assessments: remedies, the City issued responses to property owners submitting protests (Attachment). Inclusion of this notice herein serves as the City’s response to any written protests received at the time of the hearing.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 6/3/25
FILE:
ITEM:
25-587
6.1 HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 29, 2025
Subject: Public Hearing on Sewer Service and Use Charges and Storm Sewer Service Charges
/s/
Jeff Provenzano
Director, Environmental Services
For questions, please contact Kat Estrada, Administrative Officer, Environmental Services Department, at (408) 975-2569.
ATTACHMENT:
Response to Sanitary Sewer Service and Use Charge Protests Received
ATTACHMENT
RESPONSE TO SANITARY SEWER SERVICE AND USE CHARGE
PROTESTS RECEIVED
Dear San José Property Owner:
This message is to acknowledge receipt of your written protest to the City of San José’s proposed Sanitary Sewer Service and Use Charge utility rate increase proposal. We understand that this proposed increase is an additional cost to you. Here is some additional information about the need for it.
As stated in the rate notice you received, revenue increases are required for the 2,000- mile sanitary sewer system and the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF) to continue to operate at full cost recovery. Specific costs associated with this service vary year-to-year, but include maintenance, operation, and capital improvement of infrastructure, compliance with environmental regulations, and investment in sustainable processes and technologies. Additional drivers of increased costs include inflationary factors for chemicals and electricity necessary to the wastewater treatment process, as well as assuring compliance with stricter environmental regulations.
Rate adjustments are evaluated each year. Rates depend on a number of factors, such as contractual cost increases, equipment replacement needs, and modifications to processes and infrastructure to comply with new environmental regulations.
San José is making every effort to reduce the need for rate adjustments and to keep costs low by identifying opportunities for cost savings and thoughtfully sequencing capital improvement projects.
We value your rate proposal protest concern on this important matter impacting you and other San José residents. For more information, please find:
• Environmental Services Department’s Proposed Operating Budget, which will be available online on or about May 1
• Frequently Asked Questions, which may address more of your questions about the rate increase proposal
• Learn more about your Sanitary Sewer services at San José - Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF)
Should you wish to voice your concerns directly with San José City Council, a public hearing is scheduled at San José City Hall on Tuesday, June 3 at 1:30pm. Discussion on utility rates will occur as soon as the matter can be heard after the start of the meeting.
If you have additional specific questions that have not been addressed, please email [email protected] or call the City of San José Environmental Services Department at (408) 535-8550.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
City of San José