Politics
Long Beach Council Caps 2027 Water and Power Rate Increases for Residents
Residents will see capped rate adjustments on water and electricity services beginning in January 2027 under the measure passed at the July 7 meeting.
How we reported this
The Long Beach City Council voted 7-2 on July 7 to approve Ordinance 2026-07, which sets a 1.8 percent annual cap on combined water and electricity rate increases through fiscal year 2028. The measure applies to all residential accounts served by the Long Beach Water Department and the Southern California Edison franchise within city limits.
Why the vote occurred now
City staff presented the rate proposal during review of the 2026-2027 operating budget. The document showed that the water utility faces a $14.2 million shortfall in revenue needed to cover infrastructure maintenance and state-mandated conservation upgrades. Without the cap, staff projected a 4.2 percent average increase for single-family homes.
Under the approved structure, an average Long Beach household using 12,000 gallons of water per month will pay an additional $1.12 on its monthly bill starting in January. Electricity rates tied to the same ordinance will rise by no more than 1.8 percent, adding roughly $2.40 to a typical 500-kilowatt-hour residential account. These figures come directly from the rate study attached to the council agenda packet.
Local household budget effects
City records list 142,000 residential water accounts and 138,000 electricity customers inside Long Beach boundaries. For a household with fixed income, the combined cap reduces the projected annual utility outlay by $42 compared with the uncapped proposal. The ordinance also preserves the existing low-income discount program, which currently serves 18,400 accounts and reduces bills by 15 percent for qualifying residents.
Implementation begins with the first billing cycle after January 1, 2027. The city manager’s office will submit quarterly compliance reports to the council, and any future adjustment above the 1.8 percent threshold will require a new public hearing and vote.