3 registered statements
Brady Burke inside ASPEN - WALNUT
July 24, 2017, 9:49 PM
Los Alamos County Council has approved 8% rate hikes for each of the past 5 years, yielding an overall 50% increase in sewer rates for that period. Now the DPU comes to ask for another rate increase. The justification is the need to replenish cash reserves and cash flow numbers to get financing for the White Rock water treatment plant. What have they been doing with the other rate increases? If the true need is for the White Rock facility, then tie the increase to that project instead of allowing the funds to be spread across all of the depleted cash reserve funds. That way, when the White Rock facility is done, the increase can be removed. If allowed to be implemented the way the DPU wants to do it, the money will go into a general fund for distribution across all of their projects. The increase will be justified for one project, but used everywhere else. When that money is insufficient to fund the work at White Rock, they will be back for more money.
We need to stop this rubber stamping of rate increases without specific justification and management of the funds towards that justification.
Anna Dillane inside NORTH COMMUNITY
July 12, 2017, 8:33 AM
I am against rate increases to water or sewer rates. I am against ceasing bulk item pick up. WHY can't the County live within their means and provide the service that is needed within budget? We are such a rich County, with money overflowing in other departments. I know that many many residents can afford higher rates, but NOT ALL of us work at the Lab. Please find another solution!
sandy roberts outside Community Boundaries
July 7, 2017, 12:05 PM
my sewer bill has more than doubled since I moved here in 2004. While I agree with funding NEEDED improvements, I do not agree with the DPU forcing me to pay a back door / hidden property tax by collecting money that is for UTILITIES and then doing a transfer to the County. These two entities are supposed to be separate, so why am I paying $ on my utility bill that the DPU just transfers to the county?
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Translate
Los Alamos County Council has approved 8% rate hikes for each of the past 5 years, yielding an overall 50% increase in sewer rates for that period. Now the DPU comes to ask for another rate increase. The justification is the need to replenish cash reserves and cash flow numbers to get financing for the White Rock water treatment plant. What have they been doing with the other rate increases? If the true need is for the White Rock facility, then tie the increase to that project instead of allowing the funds to be spread across all of the depleted cash reserve funds. That way, when the White Rock facility is done, the increase can be removed. If allowed to be implemented the way the DPU wants to do it, the money will go into a general fund for distribution across all of their projects. The increase will be justified for one project, but used everywhere else. When that money is insufficient to fund the work at White Rock, they will be back for more money.
We need to stop this rubber stamping of rate increases without specific justification and management of the funds towards that justification.