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Update:
- The claim deadline has been extended to July 24, 2024.
Riverside Public Utilities agreed to a $24 million settlement to refund customers for general fund fees that allegedly violated state law.
The fees settlement benefits current and former Riverside Public Utilities electric customers who had an active utility account between Jan. 1, 2019, and Nov. 4, 2021.
Riverside Public Utilities is a publicly owned company that provides water and electricity to Riverside, California. In the past, the utility company transferred excess electricity revenue to Riverside’s General Fund. This fund provides support to general services such as fire departments, paramedics, police officers, street repairs, park maintenance and more.
A 2018 class action lawsuit challenged this practice, arguing rate increases to support the general fund transfer (GFT) represented an added tax. Under a 2010 state voter proposition, certain fees and charges charged by an electric utility company must be approved by voters in order to be constitutional.
In 2020, a judge agreed with the plaintiffs in the case and ruled the rate increase was unconstitutional, according to the Press-Enterprise.
Riverside hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but has agreed to refund customers $24 million in collected general fund fees.
“During these difficult times, our residents want to hear that all parts of our community are working together on the dynamic solutions that put Riverside’s businesses and residents first,” Mayor Lock Dawson said in a statement.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled that all parties have come together to prioritize the best interests of our local utility ratepayers and provide much needed relief to local taxpayers during a time of recovery from the pandemic.”
Under the terms of the fees settlement, current and former Riverside Public Utilities customers can receive a partial refund of their electric utility bills during the relevant period.
Former customers will receive their refunds as checks sent to their current address. Current customers will receive their refunds as current account billing credits. Current customers cannot opt out of receiving a credit to their account.
Customers who received aid from CAPP, LiHEAP or UnitedLift may have part of their settlement benefit allocated to the funding agency that provided aid to them. The amount allocated to these agencies will vary based on the percentage of aid customers received.
Due to the nature of this settlement, there is no exclusion or objection deadline.
The city of Riverside approved the utility fees refund settlement in May 2022.
Current customers do not need to take any action to benefit from the settlement.
Former customers must submit a valid claim form by Nov. 30, 2023, in order to receive a settlement payment.
Who’s Eligible
Current and former Riverside Public Utilities electric customers who had an active utility account between Jan. 1, 2019, and Nov. 4, 2021
Potential Award
Varies
Proof of Purchase
No proof of purchase applicable
Claim Form
NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.
Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.
Claim Form Deadline
07/24/2024
Case Name
Parada, et al. v. City of Riverside, Case No. 1818642, in the Riverside Superior Court
Final Hearing
05/2022
Settlement Website
Claims Administrator
Riverside GFT Settlement
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 91239
Seattle, WA 98111
877-654-1984
Class Counsel
Eric Benink
BENINK & SLAVENS LLP
Defense Counsel
Aaron Chandler
ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY, RIVERSIDE
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12 thoughts onRiverside Public Utilities fees $24M refund settlement
Give me some money or you will have really bad luck.