Mayor Rick Cook, the Council and the city must continue to be aggressive in seeking funding from state and federal resources, said City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz.“I’m going to do my best to reduce the cost for all of us or for the seniors on a fixed incomes,” said Cook.During public comment, Susan Alvarez gave that the proposed 33 percent increase “alarmed me greatly... that’s $127.08 annually. Although that’s not a lot of money for some people” it will create a hardship for others, especially when past and future spiraling increases are considered.Ken Chapman said that although he lives outside city limits and is not a city sewer customer, the scant number of protest votes demonstrates that customers didn’t understand the process. “They didn’t understand that all were yes votes they had to negate by sending in a no vote... also, a protest vote is somewhat stigmatized,” as many people do not want to be characterized as a protestor.“When I ran for the City Council I knew we were in need of a new sewer plant,” said Councilwoman Mary Ann Krause. “What I didn’t know was that the city wasn’t putting money aside” for a replacement.In addition, outside funding sources are drying up. “We’re not even getting ten cents on the dollar on what we would have expected ten years ago as a grant.” Krause said that the Council will have to examine options for those on fixed incomes, but not building a new facility “is not an option.”
City Council: Protest vote fails, sewer increase to be implemented
May 26, 2006
Santa Paula City Council
Only about 540 Santa Paula sewer utility users returned protest votes to reject a proposed rate increase, discussed by the City Council at length at the May 15 meeting where only a few members of the public spoke against the increase, 33 percent for residential customers.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesOnly about 540 Santa Paula sewer utility users returned protest votes to reject a proposed rate increase, discussed by the City Council at length at the May 15 meeting where only a few members of the public spoke against the increase, 33 percent for residential customers.At the start of the public hearing only 524 protest votes had been received, although 2,927 customers had been sent ballots, said City Clerk Josie Herrera.The present $32.09 residential monthly rate will be kicked up to $42.78. Public Works Director/City Engineer Cliff Finley told the Council that the city had been facing more than $8 million in fines for failing to meet wastewater discharge mandates, but that negotiations with the state allowed that fines would be applied to the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant. The cost of the proposed plant, which must be fully operational within the next several years, exceeds $65 million and the “proposed rates are designed to help cover the cost of a new plant.”Past low city sewer rates did not allow for revenue to be set aside for a new plant, and Finley noted that Fillmore - also under mandates to build a new wastewater plant - is also expected to impose a large fee increase. Concrete and steel needed for construction has risen 22 percent in the last two years, and the city is “continuing to pursue low interest loans and development impact fees for new construction,” as well as grants to help offset the city’s cost for the new facility.“A 30 percent increase over the last five years really concerns me,” said Vice Mayor Ray Luna. “I know we have to build,” but the financial burden on citizens is great.
