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1. How can I submit my protest?

Option 1

You may mail your written protest in advance of the Public Hearing to: City Clerk; City of Modesto; PO Box 642, Modesto, CA 95353 or hand deliver your written protest to 1010 Tenth Street, Suite 6600, Modesto, CA 95354. Protests must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on April 12, 2022.

Option 2

Deliver your written protest before the close of the Public Hearing, which starts at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 1010 Tenth Street, Basement Level.

Written Protest Requirements 

• Identify whether protestor is the property owner or customer, and state that the property owner or customer opposes the proposed wastewater rate increases and/or charges
• Provide the location of the identified parcel (by assessor’s parcel number or street address) 
• Include the name and signature of the property owner or customer submitting the protest
• Front of the envelope for any protest, whether mailed or submitted in person to the City Clerk, must state that the enclosed letter is for the “Public Hearing on the Proposed Increases to Wastewater Rates and Charges”
• Any protest submitted via e-mail, fax, or other electronic means will not be accepted

2. When will the City Council consider adoption of the sewer rates?

The City Council will consider adoption of the proposed rates at the Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 1010 Tenth Street, Basement Level at 5:30 p.m.

3. Is the proposed rate increase comparable with other jurisdictions for similar wastewater services?

Yes, the proposed rates are similar, and in some cases less than, those of the following areas: Salida, Stockton, Manteca, and Turlock.

 Total Charge for Service in Communities

Community	Total Charge
Ripon	$22.40
Fresno	$25.75
Sacramento	$31.56
Tracy	$34.00
Merced	$40.29
Modesto (current)	$41.78
Modesto (3.5% Increase)	$43.17
Manteca	$43.30
Waterford	$44.01
Turlock	$44.16
Salida Sanitary	$46.30
Stockton	$46.75
Newman	$46.96
Riverbank	$49.48
Patterson	$49.94
Tuolumne Utilities District	$51.00
Ceres	$59.03
Oakdale	$61.27
Hughson	$74.95
Lathrop	$75.00

Comparison Chart

4. When would the new rates be effective?

If adopted by the City Council, they will become effective on July 1, 2022.

Proposed Monthly Sewer Rate Increases by Fiscal Year

Monthly Costs Per Account

Description	Fiscal Year 21-22  (Existing)	Fiscal Year 22-23 (July 1, 2022)	Fiscal Year 23-24 (July 1, 2023)	Fiscal Year 24-25 (July 1, 2024)	Fiscal Year 25-26 (July 1, 2025)	Fiscal Year 26-27 (July 1, 2026)
Monthly Account Charge (Cost per Account)	$4.68	$4.86	$5.04	$5.22	$5.41	$5.60

Residential Rates Per Dwelling Unit

Description	Fiscal Year 21-22  (Existing)	Fiscal Year 22-23 (July 1, 2022)	Fiscal Year 23-24 (July 1, 2023)	Fiscal Year 24-25 (July 1, 2024)	Fiscal Year 25-26 (July 1, 2025)	Fiscal Year 26-27 (July 1, 2026)
Single Family Residential, Mobile Home on a lot	$37.10	$38.31	$39.65	$41.04	$42.48	$43.97
Multiple Family (2-4 Dwelling Units), one additional Dwelling Unit or Mobile Home on a lot	$28.60	$29.11	$30.13	$31.18	$32.27	$33.40
Apartments (5 or more Dwelling Units), Mobile Home Space in a Mobile Home Park	$25.33	$25.97	$26.88	$27.82	$28.79	$29.80

Commercial Quantity Charge (Cost per 100 cubic feet)

Description	Fiscal Year 21-22  (Existing)	Fiscal Year 22-23 (July 1, 2022)	Fiscal Year 23-24 (July 1, 2023)	Fiscal Year 24-25 (July 1, 2024)	Fiscal Year 25-26 (July 1, 2025)	Fiscal Year 26-27 (July 1, 2026)
Group 1-BOD + TSS is 400 mg/l or less	$3.69	$3.85	$3.98	$4.12	$4.26	$4.41
Group 2-BOD + TSS is 401 mg/l to 900 mg/l	$4.89	$5.05	$5.23	$5.41	$5.60	$5.80
Group 3-BOD + TSS is 901 mg/l to 1,400 mg/l	$6.08	$6.29	$6.51	$6.74	$6.98	$7.22
Group 4-BOD + TSS is 1,401 mg/l or more	$7.52	$7.79	$8.06	$8.34	$8.63	$8.93

Industrial Charges (Additive Components)

Description	Fiscal Year 21-22  (Existing)	Fiscal Year 22-23 (July 1, 2022)	Fiscal Year 23-24 (July 1, 2023)	Fiscal Year 24-25 (July 1, 2024)	Fiscal Year 25-26 (July 1, 2025)	Fiscal Year 26-27 (July 1, 2026)
Flow Charge ($/Million gallons)	$3,657	$3,739.76	$3,870.65	$4,006.12	$4,146.33	$4,291.45
BOD Charge ($/1,000 lbs)	$256	$278.79	$288.55	$298.65	$309.10	$319.92
TSS Charge ($/1,000 lbs)	$511	$519.81	$538.00	$556.83	$576.32	$596.49

Septage Quantity Charge

Description	Fiscal Year 21-22  (Existing)	Fiscal Year 22-23 (July 1, 2022)	Fiscal Year 23-24 (July 1, 2023)	Fiscal Year 24-25 (July 1, 2024)	Fiscal Year 25-26 (July 1, 2025)	Fiscal Year 26-27 (July 1, 2026)
Flow charge per 1,000 gallons	$67.00	$69.35	$71.78	$74.29	$76.89	$79.58

CanSeg Line Charges (Additive Components)

Description	Fiscal Year 21-22  (Existing)	Fiscal Year 22-23 (July 1, 2022)	Fiscal Year 23-24 (July 1, 2023)	Fiscal Year 24-25 (July 1, 2024)	Fiscal Year 25-26 (July 1, 2025)	Fiscal Year 26-27 (July 1, 2026)
Flow Charge ($/Million Gallons)	$3,319.00	$2,852.34	$2,923.65	$2,996.74	$3,071.66	$3,148.45
BOD Charge ($/1,000 lbs)	$1.73	$19.01	$19.49	$19.98	$20.48	$20.99
TSS Charge ($/1,000 lbs)	$5.00	$37.46	$38.40	$39.36	$40.34	$41.35

5. Why are sewer rates being raised?

Sewer rate increases are necessary for:

• Construction projects to correct existing deficiencies and replace aging infrastructure
• Proportional adjustments to fairly reflect wastewater flow and treatment needs of each customer class (residential, commercial, industrial, Cannery Segregation)
• Increasing reliability of the current system
• Upgrading the wastewater treatment system

6. Will results be posted on the City’s website?

Details of the proceedings will be available in the City Council meeting minutes.

7. If the rate increase passes, will websites be updated July 1st to reflect new rates?

Yes, if these rates are approved by City Council, all new rates will be posted no later than on July 1, 2022.

8. Can we ensure rates will not be significantly increased again?

The public hearing will review proposed rate increases for the next five year period. If approved, the first rate increase will go into effect July 1, 2022 and the last proposed rate increase will go into effect July 1, 2026.

Our rates, and any proposed increases, are tied to our actual cost of service. If another increase is proposed, the same public noticing and protest process will be followed.

9. I no longer own the property, but I received the Proposition 218 Notice. What do I do with it?

Disregard the notice and recycle it. Contact the Utility Billing & Collections Division at 209-577-5395 to ensure your utility account has been terminated and billing has discontinued. 

10. Where can I view a copy of the Wastewater Rate Study?

Copies of the Wastewater Rate Study can be downloaded from our website or picked up in person at City Hall at 1010 Tenth Street, 4th Floor, Suite 4600 in the Utilities Department.

11. Who do I call if I have questions?

Billing & Account Changes

Contact Utility Billing & Collections at 209-577-5395

Proposed wastewater rate increases

Contact Utilities Department at 209-577-5462

You can also reach the team by Emailing Staff Members.