Sewer Rate Hikes Approved After Limited Protests In Mill Valley

MILL VALLEY, CA — The Mill Valley City Council approved four percent annual increases in sewer service charges for the next five years at their early June meeting, following a hearing that drew only nine written protests out of 5,238 affected parcels.

Consultants told the council the rate plan would cover operating costs and a 10‑year capital program, while gradually shifting residential bills. The city also planned to reduce sewer fund reserves from roughly $8 million to about $3 million over time to help moderate future rate hikes.

Councilmember Urban Carmel said the compromise represented a favorable outcome for ratepayers given inflation and historic sewer rate trends.

“I think four percent is a real win,” Carmel said. “We probably need to do a little bit of communication out to the public about what a great outcome this is.”

Councilmember Stephen Burke said he supported the increases but urged staff to explain the changes clearly and to compare impacts across customer types, especially for local businesses.

Vice Mayor Caroline Joachim raised concerns about the effect on restaurants and other commercial users, who faced a larger adjustment in the first year as the city updated cost‑of‑service allocations.

“My concern, of course, was the impact to the commercial line item, the restaurant and bars in particular, because they play such a significant role in the vitality of our community,” Joachim said.

She said she was comfortable with the overall structure but wanted the city to understand the practical effect on our businesses.

Public Works staff said they would monitor the impacts on commercial customers and could return to the council with possible adjustments within the five‑year framework if needed. The new rates will be placed on county property tax bills starting with the next billing cycle.