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

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?