Public Utility Control
SUMMARY: Reduces rates for water and sanitary sewer service 33% from the rates charged for fiscalyear 2007-2008, with future increases of such rates limited to no more than 3.5% annually or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less.
Why Do We Need This Amendment?
Our taxpayer owned public utilities take in $60 million annually, with a ‘profit’ between $14-$25 million depending on how you include the $10 million budgeted as storm water improvement fees. The Water & Sewer department’s operating budget is ‘only ‘$35 million.
City management uses this profit as
a ‘slush fund’, showing at least $13 million in budgeted
transfers for the 2007-2008 budget. This transfer of profits is quietly
used to make other poor performing city projects and departments look
better financially; or for performing illegal work, like paying $425,000
to private plumbing contractors for moving privately owned back flow
valves in the LPGA Lions Paw development .
(See List of Shame for details).(Click
here for evidence)(click here for evidence)(Click
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here for evidence
Taxpayers are being overcharged by at least $14 million for Water &
Sewer services and as much as $25 million. Adopting this amendment will
lower annual Water & Sewer charges by $16,800,00 and cap future
rate increases to no more than the consumer price index, which averages
between 1.5 to 3.5%
Since these are publically owned utilities, taxpayers should only be
paying for the true cost of their operation and maintenance, plus perhaps
a small additional amount held in the general fund for unexpected repairs,
replacement or upgrade of equipment.