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Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009

Livingston stands by rate increases for water, sewer

Livingston's City Council did not rescind its controversial sewer, water and garbage hikes at Tuesday night's meeting despite continued public pressure, anger and even calls for a recall election.

The meeting, held in Livingston's Pentecost Hall to accommodate the crowd of more than 400, was a raucous affair with 16 law enforcement officers overseeing the event. Four City Council members -- Frank Vierra was absent -- the city manager and the city attorney sat before a crowd that flung accusations, threats, cat calls and pleas at them for more than three hours.

"This is absurd," said Maria Rivero of the rate hikes. "People have families to feed."

Despite the emotional meeting, most residents at the gathering didn't oppose the rate increases as such, they just disagreed with how high they are and the less than transparent process that brought them about.

The two council members not in the crosshairs of the crowd, Rodrigo Espinoza and Margarita Aguilar, attempted to rescind the rate hikes but failed with no majority.

The city manager and two council members -- Martha Nateras and Mayor Daniel Varela -- argued the city would have gone broke without the rate hikes. The majority of the crowd and two council members -- Espinoza and Aguilar -- argued that the fee hikes may save the city but they may bankrupt it citizens.

The rate increases passed in part July 7 -- the first since 1995 -- were needed, said City Manager Richard Warne, because the city cannot continue paying roughly $30,000 a month from the general fund for a water and sewer system that are not paying for themselves.

In mid-June, City Attorney Malathy Subramanian was let go because her legal opinion -- that the only way to pass an increase was by a four-to-one or unanimous vote -- was blocking a majority on the council from passing the rate increase.

The new rates will raise water bills 40 percent in the first year. In the second year of rate increases, an additional 55 percent rate hike will be added. In three subsequent years, the rates will be increased 35 percent, 20 percent, and 6 percent.

Residents who use 6,000 gallons of water or less per month will see only a modest increase. Those who use more will face dramatic increases, which increase by usage and average to 40 percent for the first year.

Reporter Jonah Owen Lamb can be reached at (209) 385-2484 or jlamb@mercedsun-star.com.