13 PUBLIC COMMENTS - Laserfiche WebLink

From:Jocelyn Combs To:Mayor and City Council Subject:Proposed water rate increase brochure Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 11:44:25 AM *** [EXTERNAL] This message comes from an external organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders. *** Dear Mayor Brown and City Council, I just received the brochure about the proposed changes to my water, sewer, and recycled water rates and charges. I was hoping there would be more clarity about what was being proposed. Unfortunately I’m more confused. 1. Formatting - On the second page the discussion of Fixed Water Charge mentions the “table to the right”. That table is about Zone 7 charges, not fixed water rates. On page 3, Proposed Consumption Rates mentions “table below” but there isn’t one. The three tables on that page are adjacent to other surcharges, but aren’t labeled as to what “Variable Charges” they apply to. This all could have been solved by numbering the tables, and the pages. 2. Transparency - None of the tables show the current rates, if any. I had to track down my current utility bill to find my “Pleasanton Water Fixed Charge” which is $19.93 but since I don’t know my meter size I can’t guess where I am on the table. I consider this a lack of transparency. Using a current utility bill as a template to describe what will be different in the future would have been a simpler and more meaningful graphic. Adding current rates to the tables would have made them useful. 3. Timing - The brochure states that the effective date of the initial water and sewer increases is November 1, 2023. The accompanying tables in the brochure says “January 2024” for the increases. Which is it? November and December are two months worth of charges. 4. Comparables - The brochure states that “Pleasanton’s rates will remain near the bottom of agencies in the region following this rate adjustment”. Since you’ve done the research to determine that, I think it should be shared with us, your rate payers. 5. Apples to oranges - On Page 3, are “variable charges” on the tables the same as “consumption rates” in the last paragraph? Currently there is a line item on my bill for “Pleasanton Water var charge” which has no cost. Will the consumption rates appear there? According the the last paragraph on page 3 the charge is per CcF but in the tables it is by tier. I currently use 5 units so would my charge be 5 times the amount in the first tier? Or just the tier amount? Which table would I use? Each has a different amount. Currently there is no charge on my bill for a Zone 7 consumption rate. Is that by CcF or tier? Is this new? Is this fixed or will it decrease when our wells are back on line? I understand how complicated and how necessary these increases are. I am disappointed that they have not been explained in a simpler and more forthright manner. I look forward to having my questions answered. Sincerely, Jocelyn Combs