PROPOSITION 218 PROCESS and CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS 

On June 20, 2023, following a Public Hearing, the Tracy City Council adopted a rate increase for sewage fees to all utility customers through the Proposition 218 process.  The adopted fees went into effect on August 1, 2023, and may be found here for residents and here for commercial facilities.  For more information, you may view the public hearing by clicking here, then select the June 20, 2023, Regular Meeting Video and click on Item 3b on the Agenda in the index.

PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED WASTEWATER RATE INCREASE - June 20, 2023 @ 7 p.m.

Members of the public who wish to provide written comments for Council consideration and inclusion in the Council meeting record should send them via email to publiccomment@cityoftracy.org before the meeting begins (preferably before 6:00 p.m. due to the high number of comments being received). Please include the title of the agenda item you are providing comment for in the subject line of your message (example: “Item 3.B Wastewater Rates”), as this will ensure your comments are received directly by the Clerk's office, distributed to the Council, and included in the meeting record. For more information, please view the posted agendas linked here: https://conta.cc/3Phqhdm.

Click here to download the pdf version of the Wastewater Sewer rate study -  Raftelis Rate Study 

Frequently Asked Questions - click

The City of Tracy’s wastewater (sewer) system is an Enterprise Fund, separate from the City’s General Fund, and relies mainly on revenues paid through customer rates to fund daily operations and maintenance, repairs, capital improvements to renew and replace aging infrastructure, debt service payments, and appropriate reserves. The Enterprise Fund’s financial health is an important responsibility shared between customers, community leaders, and staff. Providing a safe and reliable water and wastewater system for public health and safety is the utmost priority. 

The City has not raised wastewater (sewer) rates since 2013 and revenues from the current rates structure are not fiscally sustainable. Rates must keep up with costs to operate the system. A rate study was planned several years ago but was postponed during which time the pandemic happened. The City is now conducting a much-needed wastewater rate study to develop a new five-year rate structure to financially support the community’s current and future wastewater enterprise fund's needs. 

About the Wastewater (Sewer) System 

The City’s Wastewater (Sewer) System includes a treatment plant, 465 miles of main lines, more than 26,000 individual connections to the system, and 6.9 miles of collection (sewer) lines and laterals. The State Water Resources Control Board, by permits, allows the City to discharge its treated wastewater to the Old River and it requires manhole inspection and the flushing of the city’s collection system every five years.   As wastewater (sewer) system networks age, the risk of deterioration, blockages, and collapses becomes a major concern. Regular maintenance of the system is essential to ensure that it continues to function effectively and efficiently, minimizing the risk of overflows, blockages, and other problems. The City’s projected customer connections are expected to increase to more than 30,000 in the next two years.

Presentations

Public_Hearing_Presentation_June_20_2023

May 2, 2023 Wastewater Rate City Council presentation (See 3.A.) | Staff Report

April 18, 2023 Wastewater Rate Study City Council Workshop Presentation | Staff Report | Minutes 

Other Related Documents

Citywide Wastewater Master Plan Update (September 2022)

Proposition 218 Mailed Notice of Public Hearing: English | Spanish

Proposition 218 Printable Notice of Public Hearing: English|Spanish

Proposed Rates 

How Do I Find My APN # - click here and enter your address 

Contact Information 

If you have questions about the proposed rate changes, or would like more information, please feel free to email us at TracyWWR@cityoftracy.org  or call (209) 831-6300.