Prop 218 Mailer

Dear Upland Neighbors,

I want to take a moment to walk you through an important item that will be coming before the City Council—proposed adjustments to our water, recycled water, and sewer rates under Proposition 218. This is a required public process, and I believe it is critical that every resident clearly understands what is being proposed, why it is being considered, and what it means for you and your household.

The City of Upland will hold a public hearing on June 8, 2026, to consider a multi-year plan to adjust water and sewer rates beginning July 1, 2026, with annual adjustments continuing through 2030. These proposed changes are driven by a combination of real and unavoidable factors. Our infrastructure—pipes, wells, pumps, and treatment systems—is aging and requires ongoing investment to remain reliable. At the same time, the cost of water supply, electricity, chemicals, and materials has increased significantly, and new state and federal regulations now require advanced water treatment, including the removal of PFAS and other emerging contaminants to ensure safe drinking water. The reality is that current rates no longer generate enough revenue to cover the cost of operating and maintaining these systems, and under state law, water and sewer services must be fully funded by the rates paid by users—not the general fund.

The proposal is based on a detailed cost-of-service study that evaluates what it takes to operate, maintain, and reinvest in our utility systems over the next five years. This includes day-to-day operations, capital improvements to replace aging infrastructure, debt obligations, emergency reserves, and compliance with increasingly strict water quality standards. If rates are not adjusted, the City would be forced to defer maintenance and critical upgrades, which increases the risk of system failures, service disruptions, and significantly higher costs in the future. In short, delaying investment only makes the problem more expensive and more difficult to manage down the road.

For residents, the impact in the first year is relatively modest. For a typical single-family household, the increase is estimated at approximately $5.58 per two-month billing cycle, with lower-use households seeing about a $3.22 increase and higher-use households around $7.01. Rates will continue to increase gradually each year through 2030 rather than implementing a single large increase all at once. Water charges will continue to be based on both a fixed meter charge and usage, with higher usage tiers paying higher rates. Sewer rates will also increase incrementally and include both a local City charge and a regional treatment cost passed through from the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA), which processes our wastewater.

It is also important to understand that the City purchases a portion of its water and relies on regional partners for wastewater treatment. If those wholesale costs increase beyond what is currently projected, the City has the ability to pass those increases through, with safeguards that limit increases to no more than 15% in any given year. Additionally, during drought conditions, temporary surcharges may be applied to encourage conservation and offset reduced water usage.

Just as important as the proposal itself is your right to participate in the process. Under Proposition 218, property owners and customers have the ability to submit a formal written protest. If a majority of affected parcels—50% plus one—submit valid written protests, the City cannot adopt the proposed rates. Written protests must be submitted before the close of the public hearing on June 8, 2026. There is also a separate legal requirement for submitting a formal written objection by May 18, 2026, if you wish to preserve the right to challenge the rates in court.

This is a significant decision that impacts every household and business in our community. At its core, this discussion is about maintaining safe, reliable water and sewer services today while responsibly planning for the future. I encourage you to review the full notice, understand how this affects your household, and make your voice heard by participating in the public hearing process.

As always, I remain committed to transparency and ensuring residents have clear, straightforward information on the decisions facing our city. If you have questions or would like additional clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out.

James Breitling, Councilmember District 2

Click image above to read the entire Prop 218 notice

Disclaimer: The Upland Update is an independent community resource and is not affiliated with the City of Upland. This is my personal initiative to keep residents and businesses informed about key issues, city developments, and community events that impact our daily lives. My goal is to ensure you have clear, transparent, and timely information to stay engaged and involved in shaping Upland’s future.

James Breitling

(909) 342-2523

info@theuplandupdate.com

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