Proposed Change in Service Charge Rates

The San Juan Water District Board of Directors is currently considering the rate increase proposed in the Retail Rate Plan (RRP) presented at the March 19 regular board meeting. The presentation and Board Packet can be found below.

https://www.sjwd.org/retail-financial-plans

Primary Reasons for the New Water Rates

The proposed retail water rates are designed to cover projected cost increases over the next four years while maintaining a balance between fixed and variable costs and revenues. This alignment ensures financial stability for the District and rate certainty for customers, even during drought periods when water usage and variable costs decrease. Additionally, the approach supports the District’s strong credit rating, helping to lower the cost of existing and future debt.

Proposition 218 Process

Proposition 218, approved by California voters in November 1996, was created to increase public participation in how public agencies set their rates. It mandates that agencies send a notice by mail to every property owner in their service area whenever a rate change is proposed. Additionally, it establishes a formal protest process that allows property owners to voice their opposition to the proposed rates.  On April 25, 2025, staff mailed a Proposition 218 notice to all property owners. If you did not receive a notice or would like to download a PDF copy, please click the link below.

Protesting the Proposed Water Rates

Any property owner of record of a parcel that would be subject to the proposed rates, or any tenant directly liable for payment of water service fees (i.e., a customer of record), may protest the proposed water rate changes. To be counted, all protests must:

• Be in writing with an original signature from the property owner of record or tenant directly liable for the payment of the water bill.
• Identify the parcel for which the protest is filed, by street address or Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN).
• State that the signer opposes the proposed water rates.
•  Be received by San Juan Water District at any time prior to the close of the public hearing that will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. A protest may be mailed to the San Juan Water District, or deposited in our utility bill drop off box located at 9935 Auburn Folsom Road, Granite Bay, CA 95746, or delivered to the same address during regular business hours. Please include the following notation on the front of the envelope for any written protest: “ATTN: General Manager, Protest of Proposed Water Rates.”