.
Feedback

Poll: Despite Public Opposition, Should the City Raise Utility Rates?

Is it right for the city to increase water, sewer and garbage rates by 9.8 percent, 10.3 percent and 2.34 percent respectively next year despite a number of protests from residents?

The City Council will be taking a final vote at today's meeting about whether to raise residents' water, sewer and garbage rates.

During a , the council voted 3-2 in favor of raising the rates, despite a huge public outcry against the hikes.

The city has said that a 2.34 percent increase in the garbarge rates are necessary to accommodate cost-of-living adjustments for Recology San Bruno's workers and disposal fee increases. The city has decided not to go forward with a proposal from Recology for a new organics program, which would have raised the rates higher.

The city also has said a 9.8 percent water rate increase and 10.3 percent sewer rate increase are necessary to fix the city's aging infrastructure and to prevent future costs.

Some people are opposed to the rate hikes, and they say that San Bruno's rates are too high for a mostly working-class city that has a number of people on fixed incomes.

Still, unless there is a change in today's vote, it appears the city will be moving forward with the rate hikes.

Is that right?

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from San Bruno Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Loading comments ...
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
watchfultaxpayer May 15, 2013 at 10:20 pm
Mr, Kiely, When they cut school days, isn't the savings in that the employees who directly work withRead More and for the children are deprived of that many days of pay??? Do the principals also lose 5 days pay? Does Hutt lose 5 days pay? Do the board members lose 5 days worth of their stipend. In other words, is the bad tasting medicine swallowed by everyone in the school district in a sincere effort to cure the ills of this school district Or is it just the teachers and the classified workers who are called upon to attempt a restoral of good health, the direct result of poor management and less than admirable leadership that has brought about ths crisis??
watchfultaxpayer May 15, 2013 at 10:04 pm
Mr, Kiely, Somewhere I heard that they were considering stopping contracting out PE at a largeRead More savings. Was that discussed last week? I was not abe to stay the entire evening. I question why they would have contracted for PE at the elementary level. Isn't that what recess and the balance of lunch time was for? Physical activity??? Thank you in advance for your always knowledgeable answer to my questions.
Chris Kiely April 30, 2013 at 09:54 pm
District cutting school days? The District is showing an agreement with the union which will saveRead More $200K. It doesn't show where the money is coming from, but the amount makes it look like they are cutting 5 days from the calendar. Dr. Hutt said at the last meeting that the length of the school year was still under negotiation.
Maria Pia May 16, 2013 at 07:56 pm
Have ya seen the spiffed up American Legion building!? Thank you to the volunteers ~Read More http://www.pgecurrents.com/2013/05/02/pge-volunteers-repaint-american-legion-building-in-san-bruno/