From the Mayor's Desk: November 7, 2025

The City of Cerritos is committed to fiscal sustainability, a goal that is prioritized in our Strategic Plan. A key objective of this goal is that the decisions we make now support the City for the long-term. As part of these efforts, the Cerritos City Council has chosen to move forward with making potential adjustments to our water and sewer rates.

The City Council has been reviewing potential rate adjustments to align water and sewer operation rates with expenses. That’s because for years the City has been subsidizing its Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds with revenue from its General Fund. That practice is not sustainable and must change. New water and sewer funding scenarios would gradually phase out General Fund subsidies over the next five years, ensuring that the cost of providing these services is proportionally supported by the users who benefit.

On October 27, the City Council approved a resolution that puts into motion these potential changes. This is done through a Proposition 218 process. In the coming weeks, residents will receive a Proposition 218 notice in the mail with more details on the proposed water and sewer rate changes and their right to submit a written protest. We’ve also scheduled more opportunities for residents to meet with the City on this topic. Community information sessions are planned for November 17, December 8, and January 15, during which members of the Public Works Department will be available to answer questions. On January 26, the City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed rate adjustments. Absent a majority of written protests submitted by property owners and utility customers, the rates may be approved to go into effect in February 2026.

The City of Cerritos has among the lowest water and sewer rates of our neighboring cities. The five-year water and sewer funding scenarios, if approved, would keep the City in the lower half on the rate-comparison scale. Additionally, the City Council has directed staff to establish a low-income assistance program for those who meet eligibility criteria. This would include a fixed bimonthly discount of $40 total, covering both water and sewer charges.

To learn more about the water and sewer rate adjustments, the Proposition 218 process, and upcoming community information sessions, please visit cerritos.gov/waterrates. Thank you for your continued engagement on this important topic as we work toward strengthening fiscal transparency and sustainability for the City of Cerritos.