MENDOCINO CO., 12/27/25 — The Ukiah Valley Water Authority is proposing rate increases for multiple water districts in the region.
According to a press release sent out by the water authority — a joint powers authority including the city of Ukiah and four water districts — the reasons behind the rate increases are to “fund maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, and long-term system reliability after completing a regional rate study.”
Hildebrand Consulting analyzed the finances of four agencies: Millview County Water District, Redwood Valley County Water District, Willow County Water District and the city of Ukiah. After reviewing the analyses, each district proposed its own schedule of rate increases based on infrastructure and other needs.
The other district in the water authority, the Calpella County Water District, is already implementing its own five-year rate increase adopted in 2023 and did not participate in the analysis.
The proposals call for water usage rates to rise 15% for Millview, 30% for Redwood Valley, 19% for Willow and 6% for the city of Ukiah. The increases are set to take effect in March 2026, with annual increases planned for each district until 2029.
According to the water authority, the districts’ proposed water rate increases remain below those in nearby areas such as Willits, Cloverdale, and Healdsburg.
A public hearing on the proposed water rate increases will be held at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center on Feb. 9, 2026, at 5 p.m.
A California law, Proposition 218, allows residents to protest specific local fee hikes before they are enacted. If more than 50% of affected residents submit a written protest to their respective district, either by mail or at the public hearing, the rate increase cannot be approved.
Who paid Hildebrand Consulting analyze the finances of four agencies: Millview County Water District, Redwood Valley County Water District, Willow County Water District and the city of Ukiah? The results on analysis can be biased depending who picked the firm and who is paying for it.
I am curious if after all these increases will the rates be uniform for all customers and if not why.
Good question.
Better talk to your local city county representatives about SAVING LAKE PILLSBURY SAVING SCOTT DAM the same water system that has provided water to over 600 thousand people down stream of the Russian River. This system is slated to be demolished at a price tag of 500 million. Backed by Newscum and Huffman and PG&E. Your future water use will be restricted and inflated.
Pops,
C of Ukiah has not pulled water from the flows out of Lake Mendo in several years now, except to provide for emergency water to Ft Bragg and Mendocino (town) during the last drought.
They, Redwood Valley, and everywhere in between, are sitting on a “relatively newly discovered” aquifer that recharges yearly @ >200 times what they draw from it.
C of U has been drilling wells for ~10yrs.
Hence, no more decades long moratorium on development in and around Ukiah due to water constraints.
RV should also be able to get new water meters in the near future.