The City of Perris owns a municipal sewer system located in the City’s Downtown area. The sewer system provides service to approximately 2,366 connections and consists of pipelines, lift stations, and other facilities required to collect and transport sewage to the Eastern Municipal Water District treatment plant.
Measure G asks the City’s voters to decide whether to authorize the sale of the City’s sewer system.
Pursuant to the California Public Utilities Code, in order to sell the sewer system the City must first submit the question to the City’s voters. If the measure is approved the City may then set a date for receiving bids. When bids are received the City may sell the sewer system to the highest and best bidder. At its meeting on July 27, 2017, the City Council adopted an ordinance placing Measure G on the ballot at the Special Municipal Election to be held on November 7, 2017.
As reported in the written and oral staff reports at the public hearing on the ordinance, the sewer system has experienced annual operating deficits. If Measure G does not pass, the City will retain the sewer system and the annual deficits are expected to continue.
A YES vote means the City can move forward with the bidding process to sell the sewer system. As stated on the ballot measure, if the sale is completed the City will use the proceeds to retire debt related to the water systems and then for park amenities, including athletic fields.
A NO vote means the City cannot move forward with the bidding process. The City would retain ownership of the sewer system, including the responsibility to fund operating costs and future capital improvements, maintenance and repairs.
If two-thirds of the voters voting in the election vote YES, Measure G will pass.
Residents who are not customers of the City’s sewer system receive sewer service from Eastern Municipal Water District. That will not change if Measure G passes.
The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure G. If you desire a copy of the resolutions or measure, please call the Perris City Clerk’s office at (951) 956-2925 and copies will be mailed at no cost to you.
