Memorandum
Date: March 24, 2026
To: The Honorable Brad Rasmussen, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Robin Borre, Special Districts Administrator
Subject: (Sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors) Presentation considering Sewer Rate Studies for LACOSAN- Lands End/ South Lakeport Sewer and LACOSAN- SE Regional
Executive Summary:
On November 4, 2025 Lake County Special Districts entered into an agreement with Lechowicz & Tseng Municipal Consultants for Utilities Rate Studies. The rate studies were conducted for Sewer Rates for LACOSAN- Lands End/ South Lakeport Sewer and LACOSAN- SE Regional. The rate studies were included and funded in the fiscal year 25/26 budget.
The studies developed the districts rates via the Proposition 218 process. The implementation of utility rates in California is governed by the substantive and procedural requirements of Proposition 218 the "Right to Vote on Taxes Act" which is codified as Articles XIIIC and XIIID of the California Constitution. The District must follow the procedural requirements of Proposition 218 for all utility rate increases.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
The study and potential Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq., because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the enactment of this Ordinance would have a significant effect on the environment (Pub. Resources Code Section 21065; CEQA Guidelines Sections 15378(b)(4), 15061(b)(3)) and because the Ordinance involves the approval of government revenues to fund existing services (Pub. Resources Code Section 21080(b)(8); CEQA Guidelines Section 15273(a)(4).
A noticing requirement is required to be mailed to all affected property owners followed by a public hearing not less than 45 days after the required notices are mailed. The rate increases are subject to majority protest, if more than 50% of affected pr...
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