New sewage treatment mandates mean sharply higher bills for the Sacramento area. The big question now is who pays and how much.
As is too often the case, developers and homebuilders have the ear of decision-makers and are trying to bend the plan in their favor. Because of their complaints that projected hookup fees for new homes are too high, the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District is considering lowering those rates and shifting more of the burden to homeowners.
All five revised formulas the district board reviewed last week lowered the proposed connection fees on developers, to between $8,100 and $19,700 over eight years, The Bee's Brad Branan reported Sunday.
Developers are making the case that the original proposal – raising the hookup fee from $7,450 to $39,300 per house – would kill any recovery in the housing market.
But current homeowners have a lot at stake, too. It certainly wouldn't be good for the overall economy if more people have to struggle to make ends meet. As it is, homeowners in Sacramento County and West Sacramento have to prepare for their sewer bills as much as tripling over the next decade, from an average of $22 a month to $62. The potential shift could add another $6 a month.
Reggie Jardon, who represents ratepayers on a committee reviewing the rate hikes, says the shift to homeowners is "pretty much a done deal." It shouldn't be. Before the sanitation district board picks a formula to set long-term rates, it should actively seek out and listen to homeowners.
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