Theron Sanders Sr.: If wastewater fund has money to loan, why raise fees?

I received my Atwater utility bill today and noticed another increase. I’m frightened because any raise in my living expenses means real hardship for me, only having a disability check and food stamps as income. Reviewing my previous utility bills, surprised me to see the sewer bill portion has tripled. After some online research, my surprise was overtaken with anger. I learned that local taxes must be voter approved. However, user fees for sewer, garbage and water can be only raised to covers the actual costs of providing the service. I also found the Wastewater Treatment Fund has accumulated a massive reserve of over $10 million – and $9 million of it was loaned to the city to use in balancing its budget.

An Atwater official explained that a large reserve is needed to cover emergency sewer repairs. He failed to explain how $9 million of those reserves can be used when it has been loaned out and will not be repaid for 15 years.

Atwater officials have deceived the public by jacking up user fees to supplement the general fund, incurring debt my grandchildren will have to pay.

This story was originally published July 21, 2015 at 12:14 PM with the headline "Theron Sanders Sr.: If wastewater fund has money to loan, why raise fees?."