Kern County is giving Bakersfield-area property owners a ready-made way to push back against higher sewer charges, escalating a heated dispute between the county and the city.
For residents already feeling the strain of rising utility costs, the move adds another dimension to a fight over fairness, accountability, and the management of essential public infrastructure.
Here's what to know
Property owners who want to challenge Bakersfield's sewer rate hike have a county-posted template for doing so. Kern County says it has already submitted its own payment-under-protest letter and made the sample public so residents can preserve their rights if a court later throws out the charges, as 23ABC reported.
Residents can use the form to add their personal information, state their objection to the increased sewer rate, and seek a refund if the courts eventually find the increase invalid. The county also says the sample is being shared only for informational purposes and is not legal advice. Filing the letter does not excuse anyone from paying taxes in full, and it does not promise any legal remedy.
"Payment under protest is the only way to preserve the right to a refund if the sewer charge is found to be unconstitutional," a county spokesperson said in an email statement.
More background
At the center of the larger conflict is the county's lawsuit over the sewer rate increase. The county argues the charges are unconstitutional and says they should not have gone into effect before the courts resolved those legal questions.
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Bakersfield City Attorney Ginny Gennaro said it was not surprising that the county filed its own payment-under-protest letter, since the case involves county service areas connected to the city's sewer system. But she said that the county's decision to post a sample letter for residents was "disheartening and frustrating" and effectively encourages litigation against the city.
Gennaro also said the city has received 11 such letters and that a Kern County Superior Court judge ruled in the city's favor by rejecting the county's request for a preliminary injunction that would have stopped the city from using sewer rate funds while the case moves forward.
What's being done?
The county is challenging the rate increase in court, while the city continues to defend both the charges and its handling of the sewer funds.
For ratepayers hoping to keep a potential refund claim alive, the county's template outlines one step they can take. Even so, the county's disclaimer says the letter does not let people avoid paying what they owe and should not be treated as legal representation.
Where can I learn more?
Bakersfield's sewer-rate fight echoes other disputes over utility costs, water access, and public accountability.
• San Jose residents and councilmembers pushed back as garbage and water rates jumped across Silicon Valley.
• In one California county, water restrictions left residents dry before a discrimination suit settlement.
• In Pennsylvania, a retiree asked who is responsible after nearby data center activity cut off water.
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