Hollister
– The city’s sewer rate hikes took effect this month, and some
seniors said they are still confused about the discounts
offered.
Hollister – The city’s sewer rate hikes took effect this month, and some seniors said they are still confused about the discounts offered.
Local resident Olga Schipper said that when she received her bill, she couldn’t figure out if she could sign up for the 25 percent discount the city is offering to low-income seniors.
“Things could be a lot simpler,” she said.
Schipper said she tried unsuccessfully to call the city’s finance department for two days, but was only able to reach an answering machine, which was full.
“I can’t get a human voice,” Schipper said.
However, Schipper added, she did eventually reach someone who answered her questions – and she learned she doesn’t qualify for the discount.
Other residents have contacted the Free Lance with questions about the program, including one who said he brought his paperwork and driver’s license to City Hall but was turned away.
The city projected that about 500 seniors would sign up for the discount, which is subsidized through the general fund. Staff members in the administrative services department said they do not yet have a count of how many have seniors have signed up.
Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia, who directs the local senior center Jovenes de Antaño, said she too has been contacted with questions about the discount. Valdivia added that she’s told people to inform her about any problems they have with the process, and she hasn’t received any complaints.
She also said the city will pursue state funding and other options to keep sewer rates down.
“We’re going to make every effort to lower those rates,” Valdivia said. “I know that some people who don’t qualify (for the discount) still have families.”
The council voted to increase the city’s sewer rates earlier this year. Along with increased development impact fees, rates are supposed to pay off the bonds which will, in turn, fund the new wastewater treatment plant. Monthly rates for a single-family home rose from $31.30 to $46.33 per month, and are expected to continue increasing for the next few years. City Manager Clint Quilter said the bonds were floated for less money than expected, which should lead to lower rates in a few years.
“That’s all off the back end,” he said.
Anthony Ha covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at (831) 637-5566 ext. 330 or ah*@fr***********.com.
