Summary
Eligible households will receive a $40 discount every two months on water and sewer charges, based on SCE CARE program eligibility, with recertification every 24 months.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 11
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 12, 2026.
Impact analysis
About $550,000-$650,000 per year from the general fund, with a $200,000 amendment this fiscal year.
Low-income residential utility customers.
Residents and businesses facing sharply higher utility bills, particularly seniors and those on fixed incomes.
Mentions & discussions (12)
City Council Meeting - Oct 12, 2026
Former school board member James Kang told the council the city's trash hauler is charging his small building roughly 4.5 times what a comparable Republic Services account pays in Rancho Palos Verdes, and asked the council to investigate.
City Council Meeting - Sep 28, 2026
Residents announced that 7,774 signatures were submitted to repeal the 2026 water and sewer rate increase — over 90% of the city's voters in the last election. Speakers also criticized new protest-form procedures as discouraging participation.
City Council Meeting - Jun 22, 2026
A voter initiative seeks to repeal the water/sewer rate increases and require a new rate study within 180 days, and recall petitions target two council members. The budget delays the next rate hike to July 2027 and sets aside $1.7 million for possible elections, which critics called premature and supporters called prudent planning.
City Council Meeting - Jun 8, 2026
The council delayed the 2027 rate increase to July 1, 2027, and budgeted a contingency in case a voter initiative repeals the recent rate hikes. Residents criticized how protest ballots were counted.
Adjourned Special City Council Meeting - Apr 13, 2026
Of 6,403 protests submitted against the water and sewer rate increases, only 4,800 were valid — well short of the 7,575 needed to force a vote. Recall supporters challenged the 25% invalidation rate and HOA parcel counting; the council directed staff to bring back improved procedures within three months.
City Council Meeting - Apr 13, 2026
Of 6,403 protests submitted against the water/sewer rate increases, only 4,800 were valid — well short of the 7,575 needed to force a vote. The council will revamp its protest procedures within three months, and the issue remains fuel for the recall effort against two council members.
City Council Meeting - Feb 23, 2026
Resident Al Barlevy criticized Councilmember Hong's explanation for changing her abstention on the January 26 water rate increase reconsideration vote, arguing her stated rationale was inconsistent with her vote for reconsideration.
City Council Meeting - Feb 9, 2026
After the January 26 approval of five-year water and sewer rate increases, residents are angry about the roughly 90% first-year hit and about 6,400 protest forms that were never validated. The council directed validation of those forms within 60 days.
City Council Meeting - Jan 26, 2026
Eligible households will receive a $40 discount every two months on water and sewer charges, based on SCE CARE program eligibility, with recertification every 24 months.
Planning Commission (Special) - Jan 14, 2026
A nearly 300% water and sewer rate increase is headed to a January 26 council hearing, and residents are pushing back. One resident asked the commission to urge postponement, a full accounting of past rate spending, and consideration of revenue bonds instead of rate shock.
City Council Meeting - Jan 12, 2026
The city is proposing major water and sewer rate increases to fund about $30 million in critical infrastructure repairs, with a public hearing set for January 26. Residents packed the chamber — some opposing the size and permanence of the increases, others arguing rates must legally cover costs. A $40-per-bill low-income discount is part of the plan.
Cerritos Moves Toward Water and Sewer Rate Increases Under Prop 218 Review
Cerritos Moves Toward Water and Sewer Rate Increases Under Prop 218 Review Los Cerritos Community News
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