How to Submit a Written Protest

Submitting a Protest Or an Objection

A property owner has a right to submit to the City a written protest or a written objection to the proposed adjustment to sewer rates based on laws that are commonly referred to as "Proposition 218" (including California Constitution Article XIII, Section 6; implementing legislation at Government Code sections 53750 through 53759.2 and judicial decisions interpreting those laws.) The proposed increases in sewer rates are considered fees for "property-related services" under those laws.

How To Submit a Written Protest

Any property owner or rate-paying tenant has the right to protest the proposed sewer rates. The protest must be in writing, it must include the property service address and/or the assessor's parcel number, the eligible individual's name (property owner or tenant), a statement to the effect of "I protest the proposed sewer rate adjustments," and an original signature. Written protests must only be submitted to the City by mail or personal delivery to: City of Salinas, City Clerk, 200 Lincoln Ave. Salinas, CA 93901. Telephone, email, and fax protests will not be accepted.

All protests must be received by the City Council in writing before the conclusion of the Public Hearing. Any protests received after the conclusion of the Public Hearing will not be accepted or considered. Any oral comments will not be counted as a protest. Only one written protest per affected property will be counted.

At the conclusion if the Public Hearing, the City Council will consider adopting the proposed rates and charges only if the City does not receive a "majority protest." There is a "majority protest: if the City receives timely written protests from property owners or ratepayers representing a majority (50% +1) of properties served by the City. If there is a majority protest, the City is prohibited by law from approving the updated sewer rate at that time.

Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies - How to Submit A Written Objection

Any property owner or rate-paying tenant has the right to submit a written objection to the proposed sewer rates. In order for a written objection to be timely and effective, it must comply with all of the following requirements:

• Written objections must be in writing and mailed or hand delivered to the City at: City of Salinas, City Clerk, 200 Lincoln Ave, Salinas CA, 93901.
• The City Clerk must receive the written objections by no later than September 23, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
• Written objections must include the following information:
o Objectors name, parcel number and/or service address.
o A statement that the communication constitutes a written objection to the City’s proposed sewer rates.
o A description of the substance of the objection, with sufficient specificity to allow the City to respond in writing. The objections must state the specific grounds for concerns with the proposed sewer rates, and why they do not comply with Proposition 218 or other relevant law. The objection should include the desired resolution or outcome. A statement that the proposed sewer rates violate Proposition 218 without an explanation as to the basis if the claim are no sufficient to constitute a time written objection.

At the Public Hearing, after considering all timely written objections and written responses prepared by City staff, the City Council will determine whether clarifications or further review or reduction or abandonment of the proposed sewer rate is warranted.