Rosamond Community Services District is in the process of a rate study and rate adjustment based on the findings of the study. As a customer, it is important that you understand what is going on and how it will affect you. Please take some time to read the rate study and this FAQ to help you understand your options.

Under Proposition 218, Rosamond Community Services District (RCSD) is required to hold a public hearing for certain property-related fees, assessments, and charges prior to creation or increase. RCSD will be mailing notices of the proposed rate adjustments to all property owners within our service area on March 17, 2021.

RCSD will hold a formal public hearing on Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. at the District office. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the public will only be allowed to participate via phone. At the conclusion of the public hearing, it will be determined if there is a majority protest against the property-related fee.

More information related to the Proposition 218 public hearing for the proposed rate adjustments may be found on the districts website, www.rosamondcsd.com or you may call the District office at 661-256-3411.

Q: What is Proposition 218?

Proposition 218 requires local municipalities, such as RCSD, to follow certain procedures when proposing a price increase to water and/or sewer services. A property owner has an opportunity to protest the proposed rate increases if they feel they are unwarranted.

Q: How can I protest the proposed rate adjustments?

Information, along with a protest form, will be mailed to you on March 17, 2021. Due to COVID restrictions, these forms must be mailed back to the district office. Property owners have until the close of the public hearing on May 12, 2021 to protest the proposed rate increase.

Q: What happens if I lost my mailer or need additional copies?

You can download a copy of the written notice online at www.rosamondcsd.com or contact the District at 661-256-3411 and request for a new mailer to be mailed.

Q: How can I support or vote “yes” on the proposed rate adjustments?

By not returning a protest form, you are showing your support for the rate adjustments. You may also attend the public hearing on May 12th, 2021 to voice your support.

Q. When will a decision be made?

At the conclusion of the public hearing, it will be determined if there is a majority protest against the property-related fee, at which time RCSD Director’s will vote on the rate adjustments as presented.

Q: Can I call, email, or fax in my protest vote?

No, Proposition 218 requires a written protest with a signature.

Q: How can I learn more about the proposed rate adjustments?

RCSD will be discussing the proposed rate adjustments at the March 10th, 2021 board meeting. Additionally, a mailer will be sent to you on March 17th, 2021.

Q: Public Hearing Requirements?

Proposition 218 has established a process for determining whether a majority protest exists by allowing one protest to be filed by the property owner of the affected parcel.

Q: Why are we proposing to raise the rates by these amounts?

RCSD is facing a variety of external economic challenges, which are on top of the normal annual inflation increases we see year to year. The Antelope Valley/Kern County water adjudication lawsuit settlement greatly restricts how much groundwater RCSD is allowed to pump. This is forcing us to purchase water from outside of our community. Additionally, state mandated regulations by California have forced us to change how we process our sewage, which has been quite costly.

Q: When was the last time we raised the water and sewer rates?

Our last rate study was in 2016.

Q: Didn’t you just change our water and sewage rates?

The proposed rate increase is completely different from our recent decision to move the water and sewage base rates to the property tax role. Moving the base rates to the property tax role was a defensive move to help keep price increases such as this to a minimum.

Q: How much will rates increase?

Please refer to the 2021 RCSD Water and Sewer Rate Study that was prepared by Robert D. Niehaus, Inc.