Rate Fairness Board

Proposition E, approved by San Francisco voters on November 5, 2002, directed the establishment of a Rate Fairness Board (RFB) to advise the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on water and sewer rate matters. These provisions with respect to sewer rates went into effect on January 3, 2003 and were applied to water rates beginning July 2006.

Specific duties for the RFB include:

1. Annual review of a five-year rate forecast;
2. Hold one or more public hearings on annual rate recommendations before the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission adopts rates;
3. Provide a report and recommendations to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on the rate proposal and
4. In connection with periodic rate studies, submit to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission rate policy recommendations for the Commission's consideration, including recommendations to reallocate costs among various retail utility customer classifications, subject to any outstanding bond requirements.

The current rate package was developed through a series of public meetings by staff with the input, guidance and review of the Rate Fairness Board, an advisory group of ratepayers and City financial officers created under the voter-approved Proposition E (2002) to ensure rate stability, fairness and affordability.