Date: August 18, 2026
To: The Honorable Brad Rasmussen, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Robin Borre, Special Districts Administrator
Subject: Consideration of Special District User Fees and Proposition 26 User Fee Study
Executive Summary:
Lake County Special Districts has been working with LT Municipal Consultants to establish miscellaneous service fees. The purpose of this memorandum is to establish a standardized schedule of administrative, water, and wastewater user fees. User fees are miscellaneous service fees that are subject to the provisions of Proposition 26 and are distinct from monthly or bimonthly utility rates which are subject to Proposition 218. The proposed fee schedule consists of fees for services that are cost-based. All fees proposed herein are exempt from the voting requirements of Proposition 26. A summary of the proposed fees is provided in attachment “Attachment 1: Summary of Proposed User Fees”.
The fees are intended to recover the County’s full cost of providing miscellaneous services. The County may implement fees less than or up to the amounts shown in compliance with the requirements of Proposition 26. Should the County charge less than the cost of service, a funding gap is created that is potentially recovered by other County revenue sources. The revenues should not come from rate payor fees and would need to come for supplemental funds.
The County should periodically review and update the fees included in this memorandum. In between comprehensive cost reviews, the County should increase the fees annually by either the annual change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or by labor cost increases such as step increases, staff benefit increases, or cost of living increases.
Once approved the fees will be added to the Special Districts website that is refenced on the Master Fee, Cost Recovery Schedule <https://www.lakecountyca.gov/1103/Rates>.
Moving forward the fees will be updated annually and submitted with the County Master Fee Schedule.
Updating User Fees is not subject to CEQA as this action is not project related.
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Estimated Cost: N/A Amount Budgeted: N/A Additional Requested: 0 Future Annual Cost: 0
Consistency with Vision 2028 and/or Fiscal Crisis Management Plan (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☒ Public Safety ☒ Infrastructure ☐ Technology Upgrades
☐ Economic Development ☐ Disaster Recovery ☒ County Workforce ☐ Revenue Generation
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake ☒ Cost Savings
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Recommended Action:
Approve Special District User Fees and Proposition 26 User Fee Study