The Warrenton City Commission is looking for public comment on an interesting proposal. The city budget committee has suggested that city garbage, water and, sewer services be charged a franchise fee. Cities charge these fees to utilities like phone and cable services who then pass those fees along to their customers. If you look at your bills you will see that fee detailed separately. Cities can justify these fees because they control the right of way used by utilities to deliver services. The difference here is that Warrenton runs its own garbage service. It goes without saying that the city operates the water and sewer systems.
The budget committee took this creative approach to find money to fund an additional position in the fire department. That position is sorely needed as the city grows and the number of calls increases, particularly emergency medical calls. The Fire Chief has appeared before the commission frequently to point this out over the years.
The commission approved the budget last night which is based on charging this new fee to its own services but they must bring an ordinance forward to make the fee effective and then make a supplement to the budget to dedicate the funds to the new fire position. They haven't done this yet and are moving slowly to allow time for public input.
What do you think?
I was a volunteer fireman from 1976 - 1990. I vote for everything that has to do with our department except when the powers that be try to push through more than just fire department needs. I prefer to consider police and other levy requests separately.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to see a budget item come with a funding source. So often we see ballot initiatives without funding sources get approved only to cause budgetary boondoggles. Unfunded mandates kill any budget.
My average utility bill is around $78 per month. An additional $2.34 per month is ok with me. Since adding the much needed emergency medicals to the services provided by our excellent fire department the number of calls have increased around 500% since I was responding. So, the city gets a thumbs up from me.
What concerns me though is that Bob Maxfield, who gets my thumbs up, reported that the city is looking at a franchise agreement with Western Oregon Waste. I am very opposed to our garbage service being contracted out. I like that our city has control over this service.
After the promises made for the sewage bond a ways back, I have reservations supporting this franchise work around. They have raised the water and sewage recently even tho they promised to look at a reduction in sewage rates after the bond. So much for these promises-promises.
ReplyDeleteMy income is down just like theirs. What do I do?