Sacramento Area Sewer District Board Meeting - October 15, 2026

The Sacramento Area Sewer District board of directors met on October 15, 2026, at the district's headquarters in Gait. The meeting began at 16:53 UTC and included approvals, public comment periods, a public hearing on eminent domain, a rate increase authorization for Prop 218, an informational presentation on customer research, approval of compensation for a new Chief People Officer, employee benefit amendments, and an annual report on the Confluence Partnership Program. Directors also discussed staff and retiree concerns regarding the transition from county operations.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Approved unanimously via roll call vote. (No details provided on content beyond routine approval.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• For off-agenda items, no speakers.
• For Item 3 (District Engineer's report), written public comments were received from staff and a retired employee expressing concerns about the transition process.
• For Item 4 (eminent domain), a written comment was submitted; no in-person or Zoom speakers.
• For Item 5 (rate increases), no speakers in person or on Zoom.
• For Item 6 (customer research), no speakers.
• For Item 7 (Chief People Officer compensation), a written public comment was submitted.
• For Item 8 (benefit amendments), no speakers.
• For Item 9 (Confluence report), no in-person speakers; three online attendees listened but did not speak.

Discussion Items

1. District Engineer's Report (Item 3): Christoph Dobson announced a canceled meeting on October 28, next meeting on November 18, and a roof replacement causing possible noise. Director Hume raised two letters from staff and a retired employee detailing concerns about the transition from the county and requested an agendized presentation on the transition's status. Chair Cerna agreed.
2. Eminent Domain Resolution (Item 4): Mike Crooks presented a required public hearing for friendly condemnation to acquire easements for on-farm connection assemblies on two parcels with title defects. The parcels are approximately 100 and 150 acres, with easements requiring a small footprint and a pipeline easement along Eschinger Road. The public hearing was opened and closed with no public testimony. The board voted unanimously to authorize the resolutions.
3. Rate Increase Proposal (Item 5): Mike Hewitt proposed residential and commercial rate increases for treatment and resource recovery to address 3% CPI inflation, 6% industry-specific inflation since 2023-24, $15 million per year in temporary biosolids handling costs, and a $440 million capital program for a permanent solids solution. Three options were presented: three-year (staff recommendation), four-year, and five-year. The recommended three-year option would increase rates by $2/month in year one, $1.75 in year two, and $1.75 in year three, for a total of $5.50/month. Directors discussed the impact on ratepayers, the importance of flexibility, and outreach to seniors and non-English speakers. Director Viegas asked about the risk of needing further increases. Director Dickinson moved approval of the staff recommendation. Vote: 12-2 (Directors Dickinson and Orozco opposed).
4. Customer Research Findings (Item 6): Paige Bedigro presented findings from eight virtual focus groups and an online survey of 390+ residential billpayers (statistically significant). Key results: 36% increase in name recognition compared to 2021; 91% of residents said they would call SAC Sewer first before a plumber after learning of service commitments; the acceptable response time has shortened from 8 hours to 2-4 hours; text messaging overtook door hangers as the most effective communication channel; 81% of residents find SAC Sewer an appealing employer. No action was taken.
5. Chief People Officer Compensation (Item 7): Matt Doyle presented a salary recommendation based on a compensation study and validated by an external consultant. The position consolidates HR, risk management, safety, training, administration, and organizational development, resulting in a cost savings by eliminating a higher-level operations director position. Director Hume voted against, stating the salary is too high compared to the County of Sacramento's Director of Personnel Services, which oversees about 12,000 positions. Vote: 13-1 (Hume opposed).
6. Letters of Understanding and Benefit Amendments (Item 8): Matt Doyle recommended approval of LOUs with Stationary Engineers Local 39 to establish a 7.5% shift differential and a 2% certification incentive, and revisions to employee benefits documents for management, executive, and unrepresented groups to clarify supervisor pay eligibility. Vote: unanimous.
7. Confluence Regional Partnership Program Annual Report (Item 9): Carolyn Balaz reported that for the first time, the full annual allocation of $7 million was obligated. Highlights: Sewer Lifeline grants totaled $2.4 million, serving over 12,000 treatment and 11,000 collection customers; 8.3 miles of new pipe installed in community-wide septic conversion projects, connecting 202 properties; economic development grants (50% sewer impact fee discount) created 855 full-time jobs; affordable housing sewer impact fee waivers totaling $1.2 million; and a $540,000 grant to a Holiday Inn. The program received national and state recognition. Directors Vice Chair Orozco and Chair Cerna emphasized the need for more equitable distribution of funds, especially in West Sacramento, and suggested that staff proactively communicate available funding to board members. Grant recipient Henry Chang of Human Bulb presented on a STEM education program funded through the Public Education category.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1: Consent calendar approved unanimously.
• Item 4: Resolution for eminent domain to acquire easements for on-farm connections approved unanimously.
• Item 5: Authorized staff to proceed with Prop 218 process for a three-year rate increase option (effectively July 1, 2027). Vote: 12-2.
• Item 7: Approved compensation for Chief People Officer position. Vote: 13-1.
• Item 8: Approved LOUs and benefit amendments. Vote: unanimous.
• Item 9: No action; report received. Directors requested improved communication and more equitable funding distribution, particularly for West Sacramento.