By Henry Twombly, Sedona Resident
(February 15, 2013)
I am opposed to outfitting the wastewater plant with solar panels, because it’s just another construction boon and a waste of money, which should be used to pay down the city’s debt. According to the mayor, all the solar panels at the high school do not pay the full cost of its electric bills. So why spend lots of money on a project, whose cost savings will be minimal considering it will take decades to defray its original expense? Yet, regardless of public opinion, the Council will vote for the construction, which it will later use as a justification for continued increases in our wastewater rates.
In case you hadn’t noticed the Council is using the wastewater revenues as a surrogate city property tax. Just take a look at the 2012 Annual Community Report. Wastewater fees make up 20% of the city’s revenues, while the Council only spends 9% on wastewater operations. Where does the other 11% go?
I am baffled that the Council wants to keep on spending money on this solar project, the possible purchase of land on Cook Hill, affordable housing construction, further art installations, etc., when the city is in so much debt – a fact omitted from its illustrious annual report.
1 Comment
Our Mayor and Council are spending reserves/savings amassed since incorporation down to zero. They will only have enough funds for capital projects for the next year or two. The Wastewater Treatment Plant is financially self-sufficient IF no new projects are undertaken.
The City’s ongoing revenues barely keep pace with operations. The City’s budget forecast does not project a big increase in sales and bed taxes from business. Not spending money is the obvious answer.
It matters not to our Council that the economy is in the toilet and businesses and residents are hurting. The people who live here are going to have to pay more taxes and higher fees. Besides the recent city talk of a 1% sales tax increase, 10% annual sewer fee increases are planned for the next five years beginning with July 1, 2013 when the residential rate will become $52.07/mo.
The City Council has already authorized and budgeted big $$$ to update the WW Rate Study of March 8, 2010. Lots of people are not hooked up to the sewer, so are not paying. The 60% of us on the sewer are prey.