Without explanation, the city has padded its projected operating expenses to make the water fund's finances look worse than they actually are. If we correct for that error and prioritize carefully, we can pay for the new projects with cash rather than bonding. This will save millions of dollars of interest over the long term, keeping rates as low as possible. If we can also reduce the city's tax on the utility funds, so much the better.
Government officials always have a tendency to raise taxes and fees, because they always want more revenue for what they do. The only check on this tendency is public opinion, so I urge all Ogden citizens to get involved in the utility rate-setting process.
Dan Schroeder - Standard Examiner Guest Commentary
Why Ogden's utility rates continue to rise
April 7, 2012
On the heels of Thursday's WCF article and live-blogged Town Hall Meeting comments, the Standard-Examiner carries an informative Dan Schroeder guest commentary this morning, enlightening its S-E print edition readership concerning the realities surrounding the now-pending utility infrastructure upgrades currently proposed by the Mike Caldwell Mayoral Administration:Why Ogden's utility rates continue to rise
April 7, 2012
As Dan has repeatedly pointed out, "Ogden's water and sewer rates are higher than those of almost any other city in northern Utah." If you're in agreement with Dan that any major repairs and upgrades undertaken in the future ought to be prioritized and financed to the greatest extent possible through cash resources, rather than by means of another round of expensive and massive bonding, we're sure Ogden City officials would love to hear your views on that subject. For that purpose, we helpfully provide the following contact link:
If you're opposed the the administration's proposal to incur "more bonded debt and enact an additional 44 percent water rate increase over the next five years," and you're tired of watching Ogden City officials mendaciously milk the utility services "cash cow" to offset property tax shortfalls, now's the time to take action, folks, and to "get involved in the utility rate-setting process," as Dan suggests.
Get involved... "If you snooze, you lose," as the old saying goes.
You know what to do.
Do it NOW.
4 comments:
Rebel With A Cause 2: Even with fewer people living in my house, using less water, my utility bills have tripled in the last 5 years. I figured the extra money must be going to a slush fund for the city (or the mayor.)
Even with fewer people living in my house, using less water, my utility bills
have tripled in the last 5 years. I figured the extra money must be going to a
slush fund for the city (or the mayor.)
Even with fewer people living in my house, using less water, my utility bills have tripled in the last 5 years. I figured the extra money must be going to a slush fund for the city (or the mayor.)
DO NOT USE WATER FEES FOR GENERAL CITY BUDGETS!!!
NO BONDING FOR WATER PROJECTS!!!
Post a Comment