By Susan Grant
To the City Clerk, As property owners of Santa Monica we strongly object to the proposed 60 percent rate increase for our water/wastewater. We especially protest the increases in employee salary and benefits and administrative indirect costs. This is fiscally irresponsible. It is wrong, wrong, wrong to increase water rates that far exceed the actual increased water costs and the projected rate of inflation!
Any proposed improvements should be put to a vote as a city bond so everyone has a chance to vote on them. This is a vital cost of living issue and a life necessity; it is not at all appropriate to bankroll two city bureaucracies on the backs of city residents. Shame on you.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 8, 2008. Read the original PDF.