On Tuesday night the Hollister City Council made a difficult
decision that will have deep ramifications on the future of the
city.
On Tuesday night the Hollister City Council made a difficult decision that will have deep ramifications on the future of the city.
Following passionate testimony from residents angry about the city proposal to raise sewer rates, the council voted to pass the increase.
It took guts. To say this move was unpopular with many residents in the city would be an understatement. The increase in rates will be a hardship, especially for those on a fixed or low income. One resident said the proposed rates would double her property taxes, forcing her from her home. Another said the rates would prevent young people from owning homes.
We don’t want any of that to happen.
We also support the council’s decision. We believe it had to be done, that something had to be done to lift Hollister out of a malaise that would consume its economic future. A new sewer plant would have to be built regardless of any growth restrictions. Without increased sewage capacity the city would be looking at debilitating fines from the state. Waiting longer would only escalate the $120 million pricetag for a new plant.
And in further defense of the current city council, it should be noted that it was left to clear wreckage from the past. In the housing-construction booms of decades past, the city simply was not compensated enough in impact fees, did not charge enough in impact fees, and sewer rates did not rise to meet the influx of new homes. The current edition of Hollister was left holding an empty bag.
At the same time we praise the council for making a difficult and unpopular decision, we urge it to ensure that future councils are not left holding the bag for a project that is not completed on time or explodes the allotted budget. This plant needs to be brought in on budget and on time. Only through this process will the connections moratorium placed upon the city by the state in 2002 be relieved.
The city council sat before a packed chambers on Tuesday and outlined an extremely unpopular plan amid withering criticism. It was an unpopular move, but the right move.
