Kern County is suing the City of Bakersfield over a recently approved, five-year sewer rate increase that is set to begin July 1, arguing the hike is unaffordable for taxpayers and should be reworked.

The lawsuit comes three weeks after the Bakersfield City Council voted to approve the rate plan May 27. Kern County said it made “numerous efforts to work with the city to develop a more affordable solution for tax payers,” but determined legal action was necessary to seek relief for Bakersfield residents.

Supervisor Phillip Peters said the county has proposed alternatives that would lessen the immediate impact on residents by spreading costs over a longer period.

“We have put together some proposals. Rather than have everyone pay for sewer rates up front with these exceptionally increased taxes. We looked at different programs where the city can bond and spread these costs over a 30-year period and it would significantly reduce the impacts felt today. So we’re hoping the city would consider some of the options that we have brought to them,” Peters said.

Asked how the city has responded, Peters said, “So far it’s been pretty minimal.”

Under the approved plan, sewer rates would rise from $247 to $475 starting July 1. The rates would then increase $100 per year, reaching $875 by July 2030.

Peters and Kern County contend the city violated Proposition 218 by including stormwater costs in the increased sewer rates. However, Senate Bill 231 now allows that inclusion.

The May 27 vote was opposed by Bakersfield Vice Mayor Manpreet Kaur and Councilman Ken Weir. Kaur and Councilman Eric Arias wanted a special program for those on fixed incomes, but that was not considered.

“Timing is everything and right now cannot be the absolute time that we need to put additional burden on the families of our city,” Kaur said.

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Bakersfield City Attorney Virginia Gennaro said in an email that the city has not been served with the Proposition 218 lawsuit. Because it is pending litigation, she said the city has no further comment.