Phillip Larson: Riverbank wants outrageous increases in water, sewer rates

Water and sewer rates in the city of Riverbank will double for families and more than triple for businesses over the next five years – unless we act quickly to stop it. The city of Riverbank’s glossy brochure says a typical family will pay $87.65 per month – a 225 percent increase over current rates ($47.75). Increases for businesses with 2-inch connections will be at least 236 percent or 314 percent for a 3-inch connection.

The city wants the increases to complete a list of projects over the next five years. But simply creating a list is not sufficient justification for such unprecedented increases. The city wants to spend $4.7 million to “upgrade” water meters so they can be read from a central location. It wants to spend $500,000 for a new maintenance shop. It wants to spend $3.5 million for a Biolac system, whatever that is. Do these projects have any economic benefit to those who must pay for them?

The city has not justified these expenditures with specific analysis.

If a majority of property owners file a protest under Proposition 218 rules, the increases cannot be imposed.

The City Clerk must receive written protests before Aug. 25. Mail to: City Clerk, City of Riverbank, 6707 Third Street, Riverbank, CA 95367. It should read like this: “I (name), owner(s) of the property at (address), parcel number (number), oppose and protest the proposed 2015 rate increases for city water and sewer services. (Name and signature).”

This story was originally published August 11, 2015 at 12:58 PM with the headline "Phillip Larson: Riverbank wants outrageous increases in water, sewer rates."