A proposal to increase sewer rates in Lakeside by 61.7% was unanimously passed by members of the Lakeside County Water and Sewer Board on Thursday.
Since 2022, the district has imposed an annual 5% increase in sewer rates to cover the cost of expanding its 40-year-old wastewater treatment system, which officials describe as near capacity. That annual bump also covered operational and maintenance costs.
But sewer rates will go up by 61.7% this year with a new monthly flat rate of $78.62, starting in September. For non-compliance users, the monthly flat rate will go up by 37.9% to $109.
The increased rates will cover the cost of improving the district’s wastewater system, ongoing operational expenses, debt service payments to outstanding bonds and future additional bonds, and establish ap