Don’t Forget Captain Hilda in Relay For Life Coverage
Don’t Forget Captain Hilda in Relay For Life Coverage
Editor,
Much to my surprise not one word was mentioned about Hilda Willis getting an inspiration award and also cutting the ribbon to start the Relay For Life walk.
Our team, No. 5, God’s Squad, is proud of Our Captain Hilda, also a nine-year cancer survivor.
Rosemary Nossett
Hollister
Include RDA Consideration in Sewer-Plant Cost Coverage
Editor,
The recent notice sent to property owners regarding proposed sewer rate increases raises many questions and serious problems.
1. What will the total cost of the new sewer plant be with interest?
2. Why were increased sewer rates not shown compared to other cities and the state average? (current Hollister fees: $31.30) (state average = $18.29, surrounding area average = $24.31) (proposed Hollister rate in 2010 = $124.40)
3. Does the city consider increasing rates over 200 percent in a four-year period reasonable?
4. What guarantee do customers have that rates will be lowered when development occurs?
The city amended the Redevelopment Agency plan in 2002. The amended plan increased the amount of tax increment that the RDA could collect from $87 million to $650 million through the year 2033. $295 million was to be for public infrastructure improvement. The public and the city council need to be reminded that in 2002, we were told that this RDA amendment would provide long-term sustained financing with a dedicated stream of money for construction of large projects like the new sewer plant. What happened to that promise?
Despite these facts there is no mention of the RDA’s financial participation in the notice sent to property owners by the city or in the consultants’ waste analysis study. Why?
Who will be the main beneficiaries when the new sewer plant is completed? The city and the RDA. New development will increase revenue to the city and the RDA.
It clearly is unfair that the RDA will benefit financially, yet is not a full financial partner in paying for the new sewer plant.
I agree that a new sewer plant must be built. However, if the sewer plant is a top priority for the city, then the RDA must commit a substantial portion of the tax increment they receive annually until the bond is paid. Only then can the city council say that the cost of the sewer plant is being equitably allocated.
I urge the city council to withhold approving these unreasonable sewer rate increases until the RDA is included in helping to pay for the cost of a new sewer plant.
Aurelio Zuniga,
Hollister
