Property owners in Los Angeles can expect a 22% sewer service rate hike starting in October, after the City Council approved new rates Tuesday, with smaller fee hikes planned through 2028.
In a 11-3 vote, council members gave final approval for an ordinance that will establish a new rate schedule for sewer services, which officials say is needed to maintain operations and improve aging infrastructure. To effectuate the new rates, the ordinance must also be approved by Mayor Karen Bass.
Prior to this proposal, the city had not raised sewer rates since 2020 due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on Los Angeles residents.
Council members Monica Rodriguez, Kevin de Leon and Heather Hutt voted against the rate increase because they were concerned about the financial impact it would have on property owners and businesses.
“I want to underscore how much we support the continued investment in repairing our infrastructure, and that has been reflected even from the federal level, where they’ve been making substantial investments in our infrastructure,” Rodriguez said.