The residents of Hollister swallowed a bitter dose of medicine
this week with the City Council’s unanimous endorsement of a sewer
rate hike that will cost local households as much as $124 per
month. It would be a shame not to profit from the experience with a
little hard-won knowledge.
The residents of Hollister swallowed a bitter dose of medicine this week with the City Council’s unanimous endorsement of a sewer rate hike that will cost local households as much as $124 per month. It would be a shame not to profit from the experience with a little hard-won knowledge.
Councilmembers showed courage and leadership in moving the sewer renovation project along in the face of overwhelming public opposition Tuesday night. Even most opponents are quick to agree that the city has no choice but to move forward on a new wastewater treatment plant. After a catastrophic failure in 2002 dumped 15 million gallons of sewage into the San Benito River and, ultimately, the Monterey Bay National Sanctuary, the state was quick to impose a moratorium on new sewer hookups in the city.
The gold rush days of burgeoning development ended, and the city and business community have been staggering under the burden of economic malaise ever since.
We believe there are more equitable solutions in funding a new sewer, and it is encouraging that at least some council members say they are willing to consider them. But with the city facing the real possibility of millions of dollars in fines and many businesses suffering, Hollister can ill afford to delay the decision to move forward.
As painful as it is to think about paying $124 per month for the privilege of draining the tub or flushing the toilet, we should remember a few things.
The 2002 failure was brought about by an outdated, overtaxed treatment system, one used by residents already here at the time. The system we have today is not adequate to meet the needs of the people who are here today. It is grossly unfair to place the full burden of a new system on tomorrow’s residents through usurious impact fees. In fairness, we need to share the pain, but we need to share it as equitably as possible.
The saga of Hollister’s leaky treatment plant offers a poignant lesson: as we grew rapidly through the 1990s and beyond, inadequate attention was paid to ensuring that the city services grew apace. We need to remember that it’s not just the sewer that is stretched beyond capacity. The city’s streets are crumbling. Hollister has a critical shortage of parks and open space. It should be a shared embarrassment that within a block of Sunnyslope School, which is approaching its 50th birthday, elementary-aged kids walk to class in the street for want of a sidewalk.
In 1978, voters rebelled with the Jarvis Gann Initiative, Proposition 13. Tired of spiraling property taxes, voters sent a clear signal that they would pay no more. They wanted less government. Since then, the state has repeatedly raided local agencies for its needs.
If there’s fat left to cut, there’s little to be found in San Benito County. Want new parks? Consider a parks district. Better streets? If the city Redevelopment Agency can’t do it, find another way. The lesson of the sewer project is this: sometimes you just have to pay the bills.
