GCWW “Water Rate Increase Proposal (2027-2031)” 11.9.26

 

GCWW Rate Increase Presenation BFG 11.9.26

GCWW’s rate increase presentation was on the agenda for the meeting of the Budget, Finance and Governance Committee and it was also on the agenda for a vote. Immediately I thought, “juggernaut.” But, the first thing Committee Chairman Cramerding did was tell everyone that there was not going to be any vote today. So, that is good. People have a chance to understand the proposal and even contact councilmembers with your views.

I think council’s predicament is that pesky “affordability” issue that everyone is constantly talking about and campaigning on.  If council approves the rate increase, they could be making water unaffordable for people. It is going to hit people in the pocketbook.

Ana Albi, right away, wanted to go after the discounted rates granted to large users. You know, why should we subsidize big corporations? It was quite the rant as she is known to do. She calmed down when the GCWW Executive Director let her know that large users also include many hospitals and universities.

It probably costs the GCWW less money to deliver high volumes of water to one user than it does for hundreds of indivdual residences. Under a “User Fee” structure, the GCWW must be able to adjust rates to what it costs them to deliver the water. Otherwise, they would be overcharging, which is not appropriate.

Anyway, it will be back on the agenda for the Budget Committee on Monday, November 16th.