Cerritos’ plans to raise water, sewer fees by over 75% frustrates neighbors – NBC Los Angeles

Those who live and work in Cerritos Tuesday expressed their outrage and plans to protest after the city pushes to increase water and sewer rates by as much as 76%.

City officials said the fee increase is necessary to fix their 60-year-old infrastructure as the revenue will fund the upgrade.

“Our residents and businesses should be paying the truer costs of the operation and maintenance of the new water infrastructure,” said Mayor Frank Aurelio Yokoyama.

While some residents said they understand the need, others said they are concerned about those who might be stretched thin already.

“For our seniors and our elderly to have to choose, when the water bill goes up, they don’t get a choice,” said Carla Gilhuys, who is part of a neighborhood group that’s going door to door to mobilize opposition to the hikes. ”We just want the city council to sit down and really manage the money.”

The city confirmed to NBC Los Angeles that it had increased water and sewage rates from 2014 to 2020, prompting upset residents, including Gilhuys, to wonder why the infrastructure issues weren’t addressed during the six-year period. 

“It’s time for accounting,” she said. “We’re not going to pay 100% more in one year. Let’s come back with a reasonable plan.

The Cerritos mayor, who said the rate increase will be close to 76%, said all details, including projected costs and proposed rate scheduled, are available on the city website.

“At the heart of this is our water infrastructure,” Aurelio Yokoyama said. “The city council wants to provide our residents and businesses with safe, clean and reliable water.”

Under California’s Proposition 218 or the Right to Vote on Taxes Act, property owners have the right to protest proposed rate increases. If a majority submits written objects, the city would be legally required to block the hike.

Gilhuys said her group has about 1,000 forms already submitted, with about 6,800 more to go. 

A public hearing was scheduled for Jan. 26, during which neighbors can speak out before the city council makes a final decision on rate adjustments that could run annually through 2030.