EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL VOTES AGAINST ADDING SEWER SERVICE CHARGES ON TAX BILL

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By Janis Mork

 July 25, 2013 (El Cajon)- At the July 9 El Cajon City Council meeting, Council voted against putting sewer service charges on the property tax bill after 168 residents objected to the proposal.

Dennis Davies, Deputy Director of Public Works, informed Council of the proposal to take sewer bi-monthly bills (six times a year) and include those charges with the property tax bill.

“ You will have two payments,” Davies explained. “ It has nothing to do with actual rates; the rates are still the same. This is a change only for single family accounts.”

The proposal aimed to save the city money, with savings used to fund wastewater activities.  “Basically, we send between 8-9 million gallons a day to Point Loma and it goes into the Pacific Ocean,” Davies said. “ The cost for treating wastewater will go up in the future,” he noted, adding that this would help offset those rising costs. “If this is passed, we’ll be sending out notices of the final amount put on the tax bill. All we’re doing is changing the method of billing.”

Councilman Gary Kendrick asked, “Any studies of it leading to a difference in water conservation?”

Davies replied, “We’ve seen a real reduction in revenues, primarily directly tied to water use. Those directly impact what people pay. If people conserve water, they’ll lower their bills.”  Customers’ sewer bills are based off the winter-based sewer plan. During winter, “we take the average water use. That’s how the rates are calculated. We’re taking irrigation water out of the equation,” Davies added.

Pro Tem Mayor Bill Wells wanted to know if there are any other cities that are doing this already. Davies told him, “La Mesa, Lemon Grove, city of National City, and San Diego County are. Santee is connected with Padre Dam.”

City attorney Morgan Foley told the Council there were 168 objections of protest, including the protest letters and those who spoke against it at the Council hearing.  There were 26 speakers, 24 of whom opposed this and two who shared concerns, but took no position. No one spoke in favor. The public had received letters about the change in sewer service billing a few weeks ago; if passed it would have taken effect August 1.

First to speak from the public was Ron Nelson. “How can you separate single family resident owners and try to change the billing? It makes sense, but it’s ludicrous,” he contended. “Your letters that you’ve sent out arrived at my house three weeks ago or less. I don’t see how you can hold a public hearing in less than 30 days.”

Gregory Woidka also opposed. “This is an undue burden on senior citizens and those who are on fixed income.”

Edith Hanson, who is retired, spoke against. “It’s much easier to pay the bill bi-monthly. Most people pay in December and April, and I do too. You mention you’d save $100,000. I’m sure the people up here will come up with another place to save those dollars.”

Bruce Lennick agreed. “There should’ve been a one year time frame, so we at our businesses can prepare our contracts appropriately.”

 Kendrick asked if a one year notice would have been better. Lennick responded, “That would be an improvement, but I’d rather it be rolled in with the water bill. It makes it easier for everybody.” Shouts of agreement erupted from the crowd.

Molly Kirkland from the San Diego County Apartment Association took a neutral stance. “My biggest concern is with delays in notices with savings. Maybe you could do an outreach for those with a financial burden. My organization would be happy to do an outreach and education.”

Tracy Hollingworth, Executive Director of the San Diego Foundation Charitable Real Estate Fund, also took no position. “We understand we’ll receive cost savings” from switching the method of billing. “We could help the city by letting members know about the issue to tell clients in advance. We’re not necessarily saying no.”

Councilman Tony Ambrose spoke against this.

Councilman Kendrick gave his opinion. “I agree the notice time is too short. I can’t accept putting this on the property tax bill.”

Wells said, “I take this very seriously and I want to represent you. I agree with Gary. I second.”

Kendrick then made a motion to deny the change in billing. Wells seconded. A vote was taken, and all except Mayor Mark Lewis voted to deny this.

For more information, go to: http://www.ci.el-cajon.ca.us/dept/works/maintenance.html.


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