Sacramento drainage fee increase would protect water quality, reduce risk of flooding

Sacramento (Feb. 1, 2022) Property owners in the City of Sacramento later this month will be asked to vote on a proposal to raise storm drainage fees to prevent flooding and protect water quality. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to authorize the election, which will be conducted by mail.

The fee charged by the City’s Department of Utilities for drainage has not been raised since 1996, and the City faces a $236-million backlog of projects.

Much of Sacramento’s storm drainage system is as much as a century old. The city relies on aging pumps to move water out of city streets, over the levees and into the rivers during storm events. The City is also responsible for maintaining 25 miles of levees.

The rate increase will be used to repair and replace aging pumps and pipelines, reduce sewage overflows and protect drinking water quality. It is expected to create 1,300 jobs over the next 10 years.

The average Sacramento residential customer will pay an additional $5.94 a month if the increase passes. Proposition 218 allows cities to raise most utility fees – such as the solid waste disposal fee increase the Council approved last Tuesday – but requires a vote of property owners for an increase in drainage fees.

It requires a majority of the ballots returned to pass the increase. Ballots will go out from Feb. 9 to 14 and will be due back by March 16.