music in the park, psychedelic furs

You might have to cancel DirecTV or occasionally skip a manicure
to balance the family checkbook.
You might have to cancel DirecTV or occasionally skip a manicure to balance the family checkbook.

The Hollister City Council is ready to hike water and sewer rates – a total of between $20 and $25 a month for the average household. The council discussed the proposed rates at a meeting this week and offered little opposition to the changes, which they say are necessary to avoid further deficits and cuts to services.

Residents do have two chances to voice their opinions on the proposed rates. There’s a workshop scheduled tonight at the Veterans Memorial Building from 6pm to 8pm. And the council will hold a public hearing before voting on the approval in early September.

Hollister hadn’t updated many of its rates in more than a decade. A study of all city charges – an effort to match revenues with the costs to provide services – showed most rates were substantially lower than they should’ve been.

Councilman Robert Scattini did say during Monday’s meeting he wishes Hollister could raise the rates – which the city charges and bills residents every other month – in a more gradual fashion.

“We screw up for ten years and then we slam the people,” Scattini said Tuesday.

Council members questioned the project manager working for the city-hired firm, Munifinancial, on some of the charges.

But he emphasized the new rates would merely bring Hollister in line with other cities’ charges, and that Hollister must update its fees or face further deficits to its general fund.

“Pretty much this is happening across the state,” Councilman Tony LoBue clarified, and the consultant, Brian Jewett, confirmed.

Hollister recently raised an array of other fees it charges for services, such as building inspections. And the third and final category of charges, development impact fees, should be raised soon, too.

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A staff member wrote, edited or posted this article, which may include information provided by one or more third parties.

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