Richard Settle: Make those in Beard District help pay for city’s sewer expansion

The city is close to an April 26 deadline for receiving written protests for the proposed sewer-rate increases to help pay for the $189 million sewer capacity expansion project needed for Modesto’s food processors.

Again, the citizens of Modesto are being asked to pay for the big water users in the Beard Industrial District such as E.&J. Gallo Winery and Seneca Foods. Why didn’t the city of Modesto collect the nearly $8.5 million in fees Seneca Foods owes for producing more waste-water than permitted under a city formula? The city chose to waive the fees in 2014. Why is Beard Industrial District not annexed to the city of Modesto to help pay for this capacity expansion? Why should the Beard Industrial District get special treatment and treated differently from other businesses?

Modesto’s property owners and sewer customers have a say in whether they want to pay more for sewer service. If more than 50 percent of property owners and sewer customers file written protests, the council cannot raise rates. Written protest should be mailed to City Clerk, PO Box 642, Modesto, CA 95353.

This story was originally published April 18, 2016 at 12:39 PM with the headline "Richard Settle: Make those in Beard District help pay for city’s sewer expansion."