Hollister water rates won’t rise as dramatically as first
proposed because the City Council told its staff this week to
gradually phase in the increase over three years.
That means Hollister’s nearly 6,000 customers won’t have to pay,
in some cases, about $20 more a month for water. It’s unclear how
much the increases will amount to, according to City Manager Clint
Quilter, who plans to have a proposal ready for approval by
mid-November.
Hollister – Hollister water rates won’t rise as dramatically as first proposed because the City Council told its staff this week to gradually phase in the increase over three years.
That means Hollister’s nearly 6,000 customers won’t have to pay, in some cases, about $20 more a month for water. It’s unclear how much the increases will amount to, according to City Manager Clint Quilter, who plans to have a proposal ready for approval by mid-November.
The council also directed Quilter to change the planned senior discount so that residents over 60 get a better deal on water – but only if they show a financial need.
Councilman Robert Scattini proposed the gradual increase because he feared people would have to absorb a big hit to their wallets without time to prepare. The council initiated a study of water, sewer and other fees because the city hadn’t increased some of them since the mid-1980s, meaning costs to provide those services have eclipsed revenues raised from charges.
“It’s still a big chunk coming out of their pockets,” Scattini said. “It kind of lightens the load a little.”
Scattini blamed the city for not updating the fees before now.
“I think the city screwed up by waiting 12 years for a survey. Again, I think they were asleep at the switch,” he said.
Although Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia is glad seniors on fixed incomes will get a break, she also emphasized the rate hike must happen now. Hollister’s facing millions of dollars in projected deficits in the next four years. She wants a new fee study conducted every five years.
“We need to do this,” she said.
