I so wanted to keep this site non-political. But I’m going to step into this interesting issue I have been hearing and reading about.
From what I understand the City of Yorba Linda sewer system is divided into two separate districts with the boundary near San Antonio Road. The eastern portion of the system, about 42%, is owned and controlled by the City of Yorba Linda. The western portion, about 48%, is owned and controlled by the Yorba Linda Water District.
The Issue
The annual sewer fee is added to the tax bill for single-family dwellings. The western district controlled by the Yorba Linda Water District has been charged $66.00 per year per residence while the eastern district controlled by the City of Yorba Linda has been charged only $19.47 per year. The actual cost for providing the service in the east including a small reserve for repairs and emergencies was calculated to be $86.28. Currently the cost between the actual cost to provide the service and the funds collected is being taken from City General Fund at an annual cost of $500,000. This means that the western district is subsidizing the loss in the eastern district and the city is losing $500,000 per year.
What does the city plan on doing?
From Attached PDF:
It is recommended that the City Council direct staff to begin the process to transfer the City sewer system ownership and maintenance to the Yorba Linda Water District.
Bottom Line:
Your rates sewer rates are going up, and they should. Nothing in life is free.
My opinion:
What strikes me as odd is that City Council members Anderson, Rikel and Schwing voted to over turn the community approval to raise the rates and instead want to give the YLWD a 9.8 million dollar asset. Are they doing this to make the Yorba Linda voting public think they are being good council members by not voting in tax or fee increases? So instead the YLWD gets blamed for the fee increase. Or, is one of the members (Anderson, Rikel or Schwing) getting a benefit somewhere from YLWD to get this approved?
So, since the city can’t cover the cost’s to maintain the sewer system, let’s give it to another entity so they can maintain it. But for the YLWD to maintain the system they also are going to have to increase the rates. I bet ANY company would LOVE to be given a 9.8 million dollar asset that has the potential to make money for eternity.
I say the rates should be increased (it was approved to do so) and put the city sewer system into a cash flow positive position. Maybe it might even help bring back some laid off employees. Or at least add a little cash to the city’s accounts for emergencies.
Resources and to understand more visit Jan’s blog:
Jan Horton – Yorba Linda City Council
Referrence Article 1 – Giving the Sewer System Away – Feb 7 2010
Referrence Article 2 – Yorba Linda Sewer Rates – October 25 2009
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