Kern County v. City of Bakersfield Sewer Rate Lawsuit Information

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On June 15, 2026, the County of Kern filed a lawsuit challenging the City of Bakersfield’s sewer rate hike. This page provides residents with factual information and answers to common questions about the matter. It will be updated as new developments become available.

Payment Under Protest Letters

IMPORTANT: The “payment under protest” sample letter provided is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Submitting a letter does not relieve you of your obligation to timely pay your property taxes in full or guarantee any particular legal rights or remedies.

Sample Letter (English)- Payment Under Protest Letter Against Bakersfield Sewer Charges

Sample Letter (Spanish/Español) -Payment Under Protest Letter Against Bakersfield Sewer Charges

Kern County Payment Under Protest City of Bakersfield Letter

County of Kern v. City of Bakersfield et al.
Superior Court of California, County of Kern Case No. 26CUB02363

Physical copies of the Summons and Petition and Complaint are available for review at the County Clerk of the Board’s Office and Bakersfield City Hall.

Below are official documents related to the lawsuit:

Summons (English)(PDF)
- Published in Bakersfield Californian July 10, 2026, July 17, 2026, and July 24, 2026
Summons (Spanish/Español)(PDF)
Petition & Complaint(PDF)
Bakersfield Presentation(PDF)

Additional Documents

August 28, 2026 - Kern County's Response to the City of Bakersfield's August 20 Correspondence

August 20, 2026 - City of Bakersfield's Response to Kern County's August 12 Correspondence

August 12, 2026- Kern County Letter to Bakersfield City Manager

Supervisor Phillip Peters/ Riko Mendez Op-Ed | August 19, 2026, The Bakersfield Californian

Supervisor Phillip Peters Op-Ed | May 2, 2026, The Bakersfield Californian

KernTax Support for County of Kern v. City of Bakersfield Sewer Rate Lawsuit(PDF)

SEIU 521 - Government Claim Letter to City of Bakersfield(PDF)

FAQs

Why did the County file a lawsuit challenging the City’s sewer rate increase?

The County’s primary goal is to keep sewer rates fair and affordable for Kern County residents.

The City of Bakersfield approved a rate hike on May 27, 2026, that nearly doubles single-family home rates in the first year and, over five years, would more than triple
What are the County’s main concerns with the City’s rate increase?
- Sewer isn’t stormwater: The sewer charges should only pay for sewer services, not stormwater services.
- Today shouldn’t subsidize tomorrow: Today’s residents and businesses shouldn’t pay for infrastructure they may never use.
- Residents shouldn’t subsidize developers: Homeowners shouldn’t pay for expansions that mostly benefit large developers.
- Fairness and transparency: Changes should be fair and clearly explained to the public.
Does the County agree that infrastructure investments are needed?

Yes. The County supports repairing and upgrading our community’s sewer system to keep it safe and reliable. The real issue is how to pay for these important improvements in a way that is fair and affordable for everyone.
Did the County offer any alternatives to the City’s plan?

Yes. The County proposed alternative funding options for sewer upgrades and presented them publicly to the City Council and City staff before the vote. One option is structuring a responsible bond program. Bonds work like a mortgage, letting the City spread out costs over time so today’s residents aren’t stuck paying for future growth. We believe these options could help lower rate increases and keep bills manageable for families and businesses.
Who will be affected by the new sewer rates?

This rate hike will impact everyone in Bakersfield, including working families, seniors on fixed incomes, renters, and small businesses. Starting in October, residents will see higher sewer charges on their property tax bills. The financial impact will be felt across the region, not just within city limits, further straining everyday cost of living during already challenging economic times.
Does the County still want to work with the City?

Yes. The City is a valued community partner. The County remains committed to working together to find a solution outside of court that protects ratepayers and ensures needed infrastructure is funded fairly. We remain open to further discussions for the overall good of our community.
What are the next steps?

The County’s lawsuit challenges the City’s adoption of this sewer charge. Any property owner may participate in the lawsuit; for more information on your right to participate, please see the Summons linked above, published in English in the Bakersfield Californian and in Spanish in El Popular on July 10, 2026, July 17, 2026, and July 24, 2026, and is posted at the County Clerk’s Office and Bakersfield City Hall.

More FAQs