Kern County is looking to raise sewer rates for residents tied in to the city of Bakersfield’s wastewater system, matching the increase passed by the city last month.
The Board of Supervisors Tuesday set public hearings for the proposed rate increase for four west Bakersfield county service areas.
The “proposed service charge increase is necessary to cover the costs associated with CSA sewer maintenance, increase city sewer/treatment rates, and offset general inflation that is being reflected in rising operational expenses,” meeting documents said.
The board unanimously approved public hearings for 2 p.m. July 28 in the board’s chambers.
The impacted CSAs are 71, 71.1, 71.2 and 71.3. Affected property owners will be sent a letter notifying them of the increase and the public hearing.
Similar to the city’s process, the increase is subject to majority protest provisions, meaning if more than half of the affected property owners submit protests, the increase can’t be enacted.
But if that happens the county will still be responsible for paying the city’s sewer rates, meaning the rest of Kern County’s taxpayers will make up the difference.