HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-16-2015 PH1 DelmartiniLomeli, Monique
Subject: FW: Water /Sewer reate increase
----- Original Message ----- ��N 1 � 2015
From: Steve Delmartini [mailto:del @fix.net]
Sent: Friday, June 12, 2015 2:55 PM S-0 Cj -il'" CY =' -
To: Marx, Jan
Cc: Christianson, Carlyn; Ashbaugh, John; Rivoire, Dan; Carpenter, Dan; Mejia, Anthony
Subject: Water /Sewer reate increase COUNCIL MEETING• NO II I
ITEM NO.: PAL
Mayor Marx and Council Members
I would appreciate more consideration given to using general fund dollars to offset the proposed water /sewer rate
increase. Probably what bothers me the most is the discussion about funding for items such as a barn, parking lots, flush
toilets, removing an elevator, more staff positions, unfunded liabilities and so on.
We are in a drought emergency across the state. The elected officials since Mr. Romero was Mayor have continually
asked the citizens of the City to cut back on water use. The community has responded with such effectiveness that the
income stream doesn't match the operations costs so up go the rates. We have continued to conserve and the rates
continue to increase.
There has been no reciprocal contribution by this City to the community to offset any increases, no reward whatsoever
for the conservation efforts and sacrifices made by many people. Removal of yards, plants dying, buckets in showers,
not flushing toilets etc...
I have a few thoughts about how you might fund these operations that I would like you to consider prior to next
Tuesday's meeting.
1. 1 would not make the extra $750,000.00 contribution to the unfunded liabilities, that will not make a dent in the
millions of dollars owed and do nothing to adjust that down.
2. Consider the City could holding off on hiring of two new staff people. If there annual salary is about $50,000.00 or so,
that's another $100,000.00 saved.
3. Maybe the barn group could reduce their need by $50,000.00 and just make due with a little less for now, I'm not sure
why a barn, parking lot, flush toilets etc... should compete at all when we are in need of helping people on fixed incomes
that may have trouble making even higher monthly payments for water /sewer, or ignoring the over 600 protests and
numerous e-mail sent in against this increase.
4. For the bicycle coalition, maybe they too could give up about $50,000.00 for now as well and do a little less for the
time being.
Lea Brooks stated at the Council meeting on the 9th that they have approximately 4,500 supporters regionally. If they
were asked to contribute $20.00 each that would be $90,000.00. If only 2,500 contributed the $20.00 that would get
them their $50,000.00 back 5. You could allocate $25,000.00 to $50,000.00 of the anticipated "surplus" to water /sewer
operations.
I think there are other areas that could give up a little of what was outlined in the staff report, maybe those suggestions
could come from you.
If you add all of that up it equals $1,000,000.00. I'm not sure, but adding a million dollars to water /sewer operations
would have to make some dent in the costs passed on to the citizens or maybe even eliminate the need for an increase
right now.
I
I reflect back on the "skateboard" group. They waited patiently for years to finally get their funding. They went out and
raised money even going to the point of having bake sales, they had the stamina needed to see their park finally
completed. That's what I think everyone out there looking for money, including the City, should do, just take what they
really need to get by and have some patience and eventually you will all get what you need. Who knows, if it actually
rains and we can start to use more water, then more money will come into the water /sewer funds and this whole
increase could have been avoided or lessoned.
The citizens have certainly done their "fair share" contributing both in conservation and increased fees its time the City
steps up and recognizes that. Seems like a win -win to me.
Thank you for your consideration. Steve Delmartini
Steve Delmartini
San Luis Obispo Realty
Office: 805/544 -9161
Cell:
DRE License #00601891