Political Gumbo: Make Sure You Get it Right on the Rate Increases

The public hearing at Monday’s City Council meeting on the sewer rate increase included a lot of twists and turns.

Here’s the skinny, the department needs more money to cover basic operations. 

There hasn’t been an increase since 2007 and the infrastructure in the sewers isn’t in the best shape. 

The $6 million would just cover basic operating costs. There are still infrastructure projects awaiting competition.

To make matters worse than worse, water, power and refuse bills could also be increased by the City Council in the very near future would mean consumers could pay much, much more.

Look I get it, increases are inevitable and as Councilmember Jess Rivas said if there is a busted pipe or worse, it could become a health hazard.

But in all the discussions on budgets at the dais and Measure H from those in attendance there was a topic that was not discussed.

What will the City do to help those who cannot pay the increase?

At a time when prices are increasing on just about everything, including eggs and butter, as Councilmember Tyron Hampton likes to mention, some local residents now will have to make a daunting choice.

They will have to lay out their water, refuse, sewer and power bills and ask, “What’s not getting paid this month.”

Just because the City Council votes to raise the rate, that doesn’t mean everybody can afford to pay it.

How do we keep their lights and water on? 

There have always been those who can’t or won’t pay their bills.

When PWP resumed late fees in June, the amount owed by customers with past due bills over 120 days had soared to $8.8 million largely driven by COVID.

Before that, the amount was less than $100,000.

With utilities possibly increasing across the board locally, it’s not hard to imagine the past due numbers soaring again.

People will need help.  

Simply put, if you want the people to give you more money, you have to give them more in return. 

Also, more outreach needs to be done with local owners of rental property.

Measure H now makes it impossible for them to pass the higher prices on to their tenants. 

And yes it’s the tenants that will use the water, refuse and sewer services even if they don’t own the building. 

It’s now too late to put notices in owners’ bills informing them of the public hearing.

The City has to do more to get the word out. 

I think Hampton put it best and I paraphrase – we do a lot to help those who need the most, but at some point we have to consider those who are called upon to give the most.

The middle class.