Opponents say the increase will hurt families struggling to climb out of the recession. Dave Scholl lives in Dixon and publishes a newspaper called the Independent Voice. He says the water district needs to do a better job of explaining how the additional revenue would be spent.  

“Everybody knows that the rates are going to have to go up somewhat. It’s just a matter of making sure that it’s being accounted for properly, that it’s the minimum increase necessary because there are families that are hurting. Even small amounts will hurt a lot of the families in town.”

Solano Irrigation District officials say they need to raise rates because operating costs have gone up since the last rate hike 10-years ago.

Right now, customers pay $15 every two months. Under the proposed rate hike, that would gradually go up to $25 every two months over a three-year-period.

Under Proposition 218, the “Right to Vote on Taxes Act”, the proposed rate hike would be shut down if a majority of property owners submitted written protests.

On Monday night, the water district’s board of directors will find out if that has happened.