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Letter: Be part of a movement to lower water rates 

To the editor,don't blame the rish

You’ve probably heard the story, by now, of the 53.7-percent water rate increase thrust upon the citizens who reside within the city limits of Paso Robles, and the small band of protesters who, in an attempt to block the increase, gathered nearly 500 signatures from residents who shared their view.

The city asked the people of Paso Robles to voice any oppositions they had to the water rate increase plan, which was outlined in an insert sent with the monthly bill. The rules stated a letter must be written to the city including the opposition, name, address and signature; and even though other cities had done it under Prop 218, the city of Paso Robles refused to accept any electronic protest submissions. This was the reason the first petition was created. It contained the protest letter and all folks had to do was sign it.

Due to time constraints, the required number of signatures could not be collected, so their attempt failed and the increase was unanimously (and very enthusiastically) voted in by the Paso Robles City Council. This increase is scheduled to begin January 1, 2017. John Borst, Jeremy Daniels and I, who are the proponents for the new initiative, have been hard at work, that same small band of protesters has increased in number and is gathering steam and signatures again: this time for a carefully crafted legal initiative, which, when voted into effect by the people, will accomplish the following:

  • Repeal Ordinance #1025. Ordinance 1025 set an initial new rate of $4.83 per hundred cubic feet plus a fixed monthly charge of $5; both increased annually through Jan. 1, 2021, for a total increase of 53.7-percent over what you are currently paying. The proposed measure would set a new water rate of $1.92 per HCF and eliminate the monthly fixed fee entirely. Annual increases will occur until reaching a rate of $2.61 per HCF on Jan. 1, 2021.
  • Prohibit the Paso Robles City Council from approving, authorizing, or undertaking any and all projects, improvements, replacements, financing/funding, building, enlarging or upgrading of any facet of the water systems without first obtaining the citizen’s approval: a 2/3 majority vote of the general public.
  • Commence utilization of the Consumer Price Index-Urban (CPI-U) applicable for Paso Robles on Jan. 1, 2018, and provide downward rate adjustments for revenues received from water connection fees if the number of water meter accounts exceeds certain specified thresholds.
  • Allow water customers to utilize electronic delivery of protest letters, under Prop. 218.
  • Require that the city provide periodic financial reports to all water customers regarding the state of our Water Fund and it’s beginning and ending cash balances, total water connection revenues, monthly water sale revenues and the number of metered accounts.

 

The city’s reasoning confounds us. We were asked to conserve water in Paso Robles because we were under severe drought warning and we complied. We did so well that they didn’t get the revenues they usually do. That this variable wasn’t factored in from the get-go by our city leaders is cause for deep concern. Now, we have massive raising of rates for residents and business owners: it still hasn’t rained, yet permit after permit is approved for new hotels, wineries, massive housing projects and even known water predators, the Resnicks’, Airport Rd. project. This sends a confusing message to the public, to say the least. Most folks are on fixed incomes. An almost fifty-four percent increase for any utility should be against the law, especially when it is funding revisions to the water systems not for the express benefit of the existing community’s well being, but for the influx of new development to come.

For more information and to read the initiative in it’s entirety, please visit 218water.info.

Join us and make a difference for every water customer in Paso. Volunteers are needed. Help us meet our goal by exercising your rights. It’s easy. Ask your neighbor, co-worker, family and friends. Gather 5 or 50 signatures; all help is appreciated. We will drop off and pick up the petition when you’re through to make it convenient for you. Contact us today.

North County residents Debbie Mullins and John Borst 

 

 

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