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THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2007
Volume 6 Issue 153
Santa Monica Daily Press LILY’S ON THE SHELF SEE PAGE 12
Since 2001: A news odyssey
THE SPEAK EASY ISSUE
ENVIRONMENT
FLAMING OUT Griffith Park blaze dies down after raging for two days STORY ON PAGE 6
Photo courtesy Mark Mendenhall
Don’t flush money down the toilet Water rates may increase if City Council decides to up fees BY KEVIN HERRERA Daily Press Staff Writer
CITYWIDE Whether it’s flushing the toilet, watering the lawn or drawing a relaxing bath amid an array of aroma therapy candles, it’ll likely cost more in the near future. Just how much more remains unclear, as City Council considers hiking water rates to make up for a projected budget deficit in 2009.
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IZZY’S DELI
“Conserving can translate into a significant cost savings.” There has not been a significant water and wastewater rate increase since 1996, according to Borboa. There were no rate changes in 1997 or 1998. In 1999, a resolution to annually increase rates by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase was adopted and has been used in each subsequent budget. The lack of a significant increase has played a role in the inability to maintain enterprise funds that are self sufficient, Borboa said, as has the increase in labor and construction costs and the price of imported water. A water rate study found that financial obligations SEE WATER PAGE 9
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Elected officials are mulling several options ranging from a modest increase to match inflation to a more drastic approach that would raise rates for single-family homes by as much as 15 percent for water and 33 percent for wastewater. To offset the increase and encourage users to conserve, city staff is recommending a new rate structure for both water and wastewater, as well as eliminating a fixed, bimonthly service charge so that residents and property owners would be billed only for the water they use. If approved, those who conserve or go on vacation could see a savings. The council is expected to decide on a financial strategy in the coming months as it drafts its budget for the next fiscal year. “We think that is a real positive move,” said Gil Borboa, water resources manager for City Hall.
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