CC_Minutes_2018_0326 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, March 26, 2018 Page 19 Councilmember McGehee expressed concern about the unfairness of the flat fee which is a "tax" across residential homes. She stated that it is a significant equity issue. She also noted that as a byproduct of this funding structure it is not possi- ble to have meaningful water conservation. She does not want people forced out of their homes because the City has imposed a flat tax. Councilmember Etten commented he agreed with the recommendation by the FC. Regarding water conservation, the City's approach right now is not that effective. Moving this to the tax rolls will hide the issue even more, getting back to the issue of transparency. Councilmember Willmus would like more information on what Councilmember McGehee is talking about with regard to equity. He noted that there are different meter sizes in different households. He agrees with the Commission's recom- mendations. The notion of the non-profit and not having a means to collect on that side outweighs those other things, with regard to the long-term health of the City, it is something that would put the City in peril with regard to building the in- frastructure going forward. Commissioner Murray asked if the FC should look into the issue of conservation. Mayor Roe stated the PWET Commission and staff are looking at the issue of conservation. Mayor Roe noted that the point of having a flat rate with a same size meter is they all have the same capacity to use water. He also noted that there is a discount program for people for financial hardship. He agreed with the recommendations and the comments that non-profits need to be paying for their share of water, as some of them are large entities and therefore using a lot of water and sewer ser- vices. Commissioner John Bachhuber presented the fourth bullet point: • The Commission recommends that the Council establish a Cash Re- serve (Cash Carryforward) Fund to consolidate all unrestricted funds that are not derived from donations or earmarked for capital re- placements Commissioner Bachhuber stated a cash carryforward fund would increase transparency and allow the City to carry lower balances, and it would also help ensure taxpayer dollars are put to the best possible use. He asked for Council feedback and specifically the idea of taking the CIP out of the op- erating fund. Councilmembers Laliberte and Willmus expressed support for the con- cept.