Stormwater Proposed Rate Adjustments Community Meeting, Thursday, May 14, 2026

The City of Stockton held a community meeting on May 14, 2026, to discuss proposed stormwater rate adjustments. City officials and consultants presented the need for a rate increase to address aging stormwater infrastructure, deferred maintenance, and capital improvement projects essential for flood risk reduction and regulatory compliance. The current stormwater rate, unchanged since 1992 at $210 per residential equivalent unit, is insufficient to cover operating costs and capital needs, leading to a projected $5 million deficit starting in fiscal year 2027. The proposal includes a phased rate increase over five years, potentially raising the rate to $810 by the fifth year, subject to voter approval under California's Proposition 218. The meeting emphasized that without the rate increase, the city would face service cuts, increased flood risk, and potential regulatory penalties. Public outreach efforts and a forthcoming public hearing on June 9 were also highlighted.