Show All Answers

1. Why are my SMD 1 - Sheridan sewer fees increasing?

• In general, the proposed increases in sewer user fees reflect increased costs to operate and maintain efficient, and reliable sewer services in compliance with state regulations. 
• Sewer user fees in SMD 1-Sheridan were most recently reduced by $35.51 per EDU per month on July 1, 2021.
  1. Since 2018, the ENR Construction Cost Index, the CA Consumer Price Index, and the U.S. Dept. of Labor Water/Sewer/Trash index have all increased by approximately 19%.

2. If approved, when will the SMD 1 - Sheridan fee increase take effect?

The initial increase will be effective on August 1, 2023, and each additional increase will take effect annually on July 1 through 2027.

3. How do my SMD-1 Sheridan sewer fees compare with surrounding areas?

Sheridan residents pay a flat rate for their sewer usage. The proposed 2023 rate is $67.13/mo for residential customers.

• Please see the Sewer Rate Comparison chart
• SMD 1 - Sheridan district is a low population district compared to some nearby urban community districts. Although fees may be different for a variety of reasons, in general, the cost per customer typically decreases as the number of customers increases. In highly populated urban communities, there are a large number of people to share fixed costs, resulting in lower fees per customer. Unincorporated Placer County districts are spread over a wide area and are not as densely populated as urban areas. This results in more miles of pipe to maintain per customer.  

4. Why don’t developer assessments cover the sewer fee increases?

State regulations only allow connection fees for new construction to be used to increase capacity in the collection and treatment systems proportionate to the impact caused by the new development. Connection fees for new development may not be used to subsidize current usage or pay for treatment plant improvements needed to meet new regulatory requirements.

5. I am on a fixed income. Is there any discount or subsidy available?

State law prohibits utilities from offering discounts or providing subsidies, to ensure each property has the same access to, and use of, the sewer system for the same price. Each property has to pay the same amount for the same benefit, e.g., access to, and use of, the sewer system.

6. Why is this charge on my tax bill instead of a monthly statement?

It is the most cost-efficient way to collect the charges. Billing monthly would require additional staffing and thus further increase sewer fees.

7. How long has this charge been on my tax bill?

Placer County has been billing sewer fees on the tax bill for over 20 years.

8. I am all by myself. Why do I pay the same or as much as a family of 4 or 6?

The residential fee system is based on the average residential usage for a single-family residence. Public agency investigation into the number of individuals within a residence would require intrusion in the private lives of our customers to an unacceptable level and is infeasible from an administrative standpoint. The system used for billing is commonly in place throughout California.

9. How do I object to the proposed SMD 1 - Sheridan increase?

You may object to the proposed increases by any of the following methods:

• Sending an e-mail to:  [email protected]
• Mailing or personally delivering a written protest to the following address:

Clerk of the Board of Supervisors

County of Placer

175 Fulweiler Avenue

Auburn, CA 95603

10. A valid protest must contain:

• The property address or assessor’s parcel number.
• Name and signature of the parcel owner (or an authorized representative).
• Written evidence that the signer is the owner of the property, if the signer is different than the person to whom this notice is addressed. 
• A statement that you are protesting the proposed fee increases. You do not need to give a reason for your opposition; opposition alone is sufficient.
• Proposition 218 requires all written protests be received by the end of the public hearing.  If you submit your protest by regular mail, please allow sufficient time for the mail to be delivered, as a postmark will not be accepted.

11. What constitutes a majority protest?

• A majority protest is reached when 50% plus 1 of the properties served by the sewer district object to the proposed fee increase.
• One written protest per parcel, filed by the owner, shall be counted in calculating a majority protest to a proposed fee increase.
• For SMD 1-Sheridan, a majority protest would require valid protests from 189 parcels.

12. Where can I get additional information?

The Sheridan Municipal Advisory Council will receive an informational item regarding the proposed fee increase at their May 10, 2023 meeting at 6:00 p.m. in Stewart Hall, 6005 Camp Far West Road, Sheridan, California.