Hopland Water and Sewer Ratepayers Will See Increase in December
The approved 40% rate hike is not reflected on November bills
Following a contentious Oct. 9 meeting of the Hopland Public Utility District board of directors, ratepayers were expecting to see a sharp 40 percent increase in this month’s water bills. But the rate remained unchanged.
Jared Walker, the district’s deputy director of water resources, said the new rates took effect Nov. 1, so they will not be reflected on bills until the next billing cycle.
Roughly one in three ratepayers protested the increase using the process set forth by Proposition 218. Under the 1996 state law, residents have the right to challenge local fee hikes before they take effect. If more than half of property owners file written protests with the district — by mail or during a public hearing — the proposed rate increase must be withdrawn.
After the meeting, a group of ratepayers led by Vernon Budinger requested that the district revisit votes taken to raise water and sewer rates, citing violations of the Brown Act and Proposition 218, which mandates rate justification and public transparency.
Budinger said he has not yet received a response from the district to his Oct. 26 “cure and correct” letter.
The next Hopland Public Utility District meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 13, 2025 at Brutocao Cellars in Hopland.