Notice of Proposed Water Rate Increases
As you know, the District has not raised its water rates since 2009. Since then, the cost of operating and maintaining the District’s water system has steadily increased, and capital investment in the District’s assests has been continuously deferred due to lack of funding. To reconcile these serious deficiencies, the District is proposing to increase its water rates.
By now, you should have received a copy of the District’s notice of the proposed water rate increases over the next five years. In compliance with Article XIII D of the California Constitution, which was added to the Constitution pursuant to Proposition 218, this notice explains:
- What is being proposed and why.
- How your rates would change and when.
- The decision-making process and how you can participate.
The District is required to send these notices to all parcels within its jurisdiction indicated on the County’s Tax Assessor role at least 45 days in advance of a public hearing to adopt the propossed new rate changes, which has been scheduled for September 20, 2025 at 9:30a at the District office located at 3785 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach.
The Board has also approved release of our cost of service study to support these proposed rate changes. Copies of this study are available by request at the District office or at info@stinsonwater.org.
If you have any questions regarding the proposed new rates or their impact to your bill, please contact the District General Manager at (415) 868-1333, ext. 100, or by email at knelson@stinsonwater.org.
Filing a Protest or Legal Challenge to the Proposed Water Rate Increase
If a majority of the record parcel owners protest the rates in writing, then the District will not impose the proposed rates. However, a successful protest will result in impacts to water services. Any customer or property owner within the District’s service area may:
- File a written protest to the proposed new rates (limited to one protest per parcel) by the close of the public hearing. Protests may be submitted by mail or delivered in a sealed envelope in person to the District, Attention: General Manager/Secretary of the Board, PO Box 245, 3785 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA 94970. Please clearly indicate on the outside of the envelope: “Proposition 218 Protest”; or
- Submit a written legal objection stating how the proposed new rates do not comply with existing law. Legal objections may be submitted by mail or delivered in a sealed envelope in person to the District, Attention: General Manager/Secretary of the Board, PO Box 245, 3785 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA 94970. Please clearly indicate on the outside of the envelope: “Proposition 218 Legal Objection.”
- To be considered sufficient, a legal objection must include a description of the nature of the legal objection with sufficient specificity to allow the District to respond in writing. Legal objections must be received by September 20, 2025. Pursuant to Government Code Section 53759.2, failure to submit a sufficient legal objection by this date will bar your right to challenge the proposed rates through a legal proceeding.
- Pursuant to Government Code Section 53759, there is a 120-day statute of limitations from October 1, 2025 for any judicial action or proceeding challenging any new, increased, or extended water fee or charge.
Document Request
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