We Get Letters

NO on Pasadena, Measure P

“There was a time in Pasadena when utility bills were reasonable but that is no longer the case. Most of us dread the Municipal bill because it seems like no matter how hard one tries it is just not possible to lower them to an affordable amount. For many these high bills are a hardship and for some it means doing without.
The reason has a lot to do with the amount of fees and taxes we pay on an average bill.

There is a charge for the electricity you use plus a CUSTOMER charge, GRID ACCESS charge, DISTRIBUTION charge, TRANSMISSION charge, ENERGY charge plus a SECOND ELECTRICAL charge, PUBLIC BENEFIT charge, STATE ENVIROMENT charge, UTILITY USERS tax. You are also charged for the water you use plus TWO separate DISTRIBUTION & CUSTOMER meter charges plus a CIC charge (no explanation what that is). Then there are two SEWER tax charges plus a REFUSE (trash) fee. I probably missed some so check you bill cause there may be others.

These addition charges impact everyone. One example, is the grid access charge. Business have suffered the most from this fee that is placed on every electrical meter in the city. Small business pays $34. on every bill ($34. X 6 = $204 yearly). Medium sized business pay $500. on every bill ($500. X 6 = $3000. yearly) and large business are charged $3000. on every bill ($3000. X 6 = $18000. yearly). Many business have multiple meters and must pay the full grid access charge on each of them.

At this time the grid access charge for residents is only $9. on every bill ($9. X 6 = $54 yearly) but rate change will most certainly happen. Currently this one fee alone generates an extra 10.3 million annually.

Now the city wants us to approve Measure P. If passed it will transfer $18 million annually from Light & Power to the General Fund.

The City says this is not a new revenue stream because it has been approved by voters seven times since 1934. That is true but utility charges were much lower then. Also, I am not aware of any sunset clause so approval of Measure P means that this raiding of Light & Power funds could be increased and go on forever.

The City claims this $18 million transfer does not increase our utility bills. Oh, I get it, ratepayers fund Pasadena Municipal and when 12% is transferred to the General Fund it has no impact on our rates. Get real, if you going to tell me a fairy tale then at least start with ‘Once upon a time”.

The City says to maintain the current voter-approved funding, the City Council is placing Measure P on the ballot. True but what they are not keen to share is that the City is being sued in a class action suit (Komesar v, City of Pasadena) because a portion of the electric rates used to fund these transfers is considered a tax. That is illegal when done without voter approval.

The City says they will reduce the amount it can transfer to the General fund from 16% to 12% annually. Very admirable except that’s a 2% increase because the city has never taken more than 10% since 2012. (see attachment)

The City claims they will have to “cut back on services” if Measure P fails. Oh please, not again. That is the exact same line the City used when they asked us to approve Measure I. It appears that the 21 Million that Measure generates is just not enough cause the City needs more, more more.

Pasadena Municipal is out of touch and out of control. I have spoken with and verified rate payers who have had their utility bills more than double since 2018. To make matters worse there will be more fees coming.

It’s time to bring fiscal responsibility back to Pasadena Municipal. Send our City leaders a clear message that says they must limit the tax/fee/service charges and stop these huge increases in our utility bills before we approve any transfer of funds.

Vote NO on Pasadena, Measure P”

Howie Zecher, Pasadena

Got something to say, email Managing Editor André Coleman, at andrec@pasadenanowmagazine.com