Gary Wilson: We’ll pay more for water so consultants can soak up more profit

The city of Modesto currently charges its water customers $1.40 for each 100 cubic feet of water. The proposed water rate increase boosts this charge to $2.32 by 2020.

The city of Fair Oaks currently charges 45 cents for each 100 cubic feet. In 2020, Modesto’s rate will be nearly six times Fair Oaks current rate.

I am sure all of those Modesto residents who voted for a change in leadership at city hall in the recent mayoral and council elections will submit their letters of protest to the proposed water rate increases, just as they did for the recent sewer rate increases.

If those protest letters don’t show up, residents will be forced to submit to the political mantra as adopted by the new mayor and council members: Ask not what your city can do for you; ask, instead, how you can pay more to support consultants and contractors enjoying 35 percent profit margins at your expense.

This story was originally published July 5, 2016 at 5:31 PM with the headline "Gary Wilson: We’ll pay more for water so consultants can soak up more profit."