Jane Hardin: Modesto water rate hike is excessive, should be voted down by homeowners

Re “Modesto starts process to increase water rates” (Page 3A, June 10): Don’t be surprised to open your water bill in September and see a hefty increase. Recently, Stockton voted to increase water rates 43.7 percent over the next five years. According to a May 4 article in The Bee, Modesto rates may increase as much as 63 percent over five years. Sadly, only about 147 homeowners in Stockton took the time to write a letter of protest.

I know this is only the water portion of the bill, but sewer and garbage rates are usually not far behind. For an area with high poverty and low-wage jobs, the increase is excessive. Personally, I am not against a rate increase, just the magnitude of it.

If you are adverse to writing, you can find a form letter on Facebook. Just sign onto your page and type in “No on Modesto water rate hike” and it will take you to the page. In order to override an automatic rate increase, half of Modesto homeowners will need to protest in writing. Make sure you include your home address and write on your envelope that this is a letter of protest for the current water-rate increase proposal. On Aug. 9, the city council votes.

This story was originally published July 7, 2016 at 6:14 PM with the headline "Jane Hardin: Modesto water rate hike is excessive, should be voted down by homeowners."