The public comment portion of Tuesday’s Benicia City Council meeting drew a lot of impassioned remarks. What caused so much fervor among those in attendance was the council’s discussion of the water rates within the city.
Since 2014, the City Council has received monthly staff reports about water regulation. Specifically in these reports were updates on water conservation, water demand, leak repairs, capital improvement projects, water rates and other varying items of interest. It was recommended the City Council continue to receive an update on the above items as well as water regulation.
Vice Mayor Steve Young was one of the many members of the council who spoke on the water report. Young began by saying he was not part of the council when the group voted on changes to the water rates. The vice mayor also informed the meeting attendees he would not criticize the councilmembers who cast their vote the last time the topic came up. Young did note he noticed the previous council, who voted on the water rates, had a goal of not wanting to procrastinate on the issue and cause problems down the line.
“If the staff did not provide direct information to the council about the financial situation facing the utilities that are on the staff. If the council got that information and chose not to act that’s on the previous council,” Young said. “Regardless, the previous council did make a decision to raise the rates and try to stabilize the finances. Much of the initial cost that the city faces in operating its own water treatment system is the fact we’re doing this as a relatively small city operating an expensive utility, and many cities are part of a larger regional entity that do water and wastewater things. East Bay Mud is probably the closest example people might be familiar with.”
The City Council furthered the discussion, debating the possible solution to the issue before opening the floor to public comment.
“My friend who live in different cities, their sewage and wastewater bills are all on the taxes bill,” resident Joni Grisham said. “I understand they voted for it, especially those of us who pay taxes, which might be a few of us there. At least that’s tax deductible rather than coming on a bi-onthly bill. You look at the charges, and most of it’s wastewater and sewage.”
“I was surprised when I got my last bill,” resident Sharon Gracie said. “I was gone eight days in the billing cycle, and my bill was $426. When you divide the gallons that you said that we used, we would have to be filling and emptying my hot tub every day. Something is not right, and I don’t have a water lake”
“I am upset” resident Gary Heaton said. “It takes a lot to get me upset, but I have to be to get up here. I hope I don’t embarrass myself. I have been in Benicia since 1979 on Ardmore Way on top of the hill. I am proud of living in Benicia. I am proud of its history. I am more proud of where I live home. You make it very difficult to keep and maintain a lifestyle the way I like it to be maintained with three hundred and fifty dollar bills.”
Another 30 minutes of speakers would follow Heaton, each expressing their opinions on the water rates. The City Council would end this part of the agenda with a little more discussion on the topic after thanking the public for their comments.
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I think you missed a few of the better comments on the Water bill issues. Several speakers had ideas to go along with their complaints.
In my opinion though, ideas mostly fell on deaf ears of the mayor.
Steve, look on Benicia Happenings. The Mayor got scorched, hammered and all said she is very rude. When folks see the mayor live their opinion of her changes at once.
I was at the meeting. All I heard from the mayor was “I’ll send you a report”. As far as the presentation coming from staff, regarding comparable rates … the old adage that “statistics can be manipulated” rang true. Parse the data anyway you please, but in the end, Benicia water bills are much higher than surrounding cities. People are mad. Paying $2000 annually for water and sewer is criminal.
Matter you are correct. Go on Benicia Happenings. The residents are not happy with the mayor. They are starting to catch on.
I agree that there are some residents who have expressed dislike for the rate increase, however, each resident, regardless of who they voted for, needs to step up and read the damn information the city sends out. The increase in water and sewer fees was put out there for everyone to read and comment on. Very few people commented until after the fact. This is only the beginning and it is going to get a hell of a lot worse. The money from the sales tax increase was sold to us as a way to “maintain the quality of life” in Benicia. That money will soon be used to offset increased costs to the general fund for pensions and benefits that are just not sustainable. Property values are going to be affected due to the fact that every yard now looks like crap. In my extensive travels around the state I have not seen other cities where the yards have been neglected like here in Benicia.
John, I do believe you hit the nail on the head on the General Fund. I have been talking about CalPers for years. It finally happened. We must remember in about 2000 the city share of CalPers was about zero. At present the rate is going up 600,000/800,000 per year.. We will soon be paying 12 mil a year to CalPers.. So as you see it does have a great effect on the yearly General Fund budget. This is where the council must step in. It is on Economic Developement. They have not. We need to change the council and get aggressive Economic Development people on there. It must be but on an agenda, discussed, recommendations from city staff and move forward. It that does not happen in about four years or less this city could well be broke. You do know what happens then. City services are cut. I suggest all residents contact all councilmembers about the Economic development issue. I do not believe cannabis retail sales will solve the problem. Help yes, solve no.. .
In fact, everyone had the opportunity to oppose it. Under prop 218 water users can stop a proposed rate increase by simply sending a letter card or email opposing it. All water and sewer users were notified of this and given the opportunity to do just that and they had 45 days to make their opposition known before the council could act.
Greg that is true. But the residents lead very busy lives. Look how many show up for a council meeting. Even an event like CBR had only about 200. and then faded. Residents elect officials to do the job for them. About 9000 residential water meters. I do not have the figure that responded but I will tell you it was not many. There response was when they ,got the bill. At least two councilmembers understood the outcome. It was not good. Something will now be done.
Bob said, “Residents elect officials to do the job for them.” Exactly right! This council knew that raising the rates this much was un-supportable. They also knew that 50% +1 would not write in. They pushed through what they wanted. Now let’s hold them accountable. RECALL!
This council seems to be of the opinion that their job is to modify our behaviors. Wrong! They are supposed to provide tremendous value for the tax dollars that we entrust them with. Safe streets. Plentiful, cheap and reliable utilities. And regulations that allow businesses and jobs to flourish.
My point exactly Greg.