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Show I Tuurle Transcript, Friday, March 16, 1079 i- I ' T 4 An Open Letter To The Public the City's position as it relates to the proposed water and sewer rate increases. As everyone knows, when the bond issue was passed, it was understood that water and sewer rates would be increased. It was also understood that, regardless of the bond election outcome, water and sewer rates would be increased to cover anticipated capital expenditures and depreciation of fixed assets. At the time of the bond issue there were newspaper articles, radio advertisements, public meetings and phone calls to inform the public of what had to be done. No one in City government stated that there would As Mayor of Tooele, I wish to clarify ., k-- on slier, a sixth at Tootle Crnlrat annual Tootle County n the dinner in thepidrr School, Republican Wonen'i Abraham IJncoln ss riling con-toIlrr essay b printed below. Runnmip winners are Ronda Anderson, Carrie Milliard, Tracy Naylor and Usa Callister of Grants-vill- e t. Elementary. not be utility rate increases. Since that time, E.P.A., a federal regulatory agency, has mandated that equitable rates be applied to municipal utilities. In order to meet this rerequirement the City administration has spent numerous man-housearching, reviewing, studying and debating various proposalsl. After every factor was weighed and analyzed, it was decided to abolish the concept currently used and propose a rate based solely on consumption and discharge. This formula was derived from the following criteria: rs Abraham Lincoln As I Personally See Him by Tcki Vorwallcr Tooele Central 1 would like to actually meet Abraham Lincoln some day. lie seems like a very special person. When he was president, he aliolished slavery and I feel that it was a very hard thing but right thing to do. He hated to divide our nation in war, bid he believed as I believe, that slavery is unjust and all people should have equal rights. HE WAS also a very kind and generous man. Mr. Lincoln. a boy he tried all afternoon to catch a fish. He finally succeeded and was on his way home when he met a soldier who needed food. Unself-Lshlhe gave the soldier y, i highly regard Abraham Lincoln because he was completely honest. Once he walked six miles to return only six cents he had overcharged a customer. Because he always spoke the truth people trusted him and chose him as their leader. There is one more characteristic I admire about 1 He worked very hard to educate himself. AS A boy he would walk nine miles to and from school. He did not have much money so he borrowed often books, walking many miles to get and return them. He would read them over and over. As his fish. 1. Once a book got ruined when the rain seeped through the cabin walls. The very next morning Abraham Lincoln went to the owner and explained what had happened. He worked for three days husking com to pay for the book. I think Abraham Lincoln is great for many reasons. 1 will always look up to him not only because of his height, but because of his great example. I have written a cinquain to honor him: Abraham Lincoln tall, kind giving, working, learning remembered, respected, admired, loved Debt Obligation Projected Budget and Operating Costs Depreciation of All Fixed Assets The debt obligation is a fixed amount much like a mortgage payment. It is used to retire money that has been borrowed for a set number of years and at a fixed interest rate. In order to operate a utility company there are certain costs incurred during a given operating year. They are, but are not limited to, items such as electricity, wages, benefits, office expense, gasoline, equipment, pumps, parts, chlorine and many other items. 2. 3. Unlike other utilities, municipal services do not make a profit and, more often than not, operate in a deficit situation. Too often overlooked is the fact that the City faces the same inflationary problems as does everyone else. Inflation takes a heavy toll in increased operating costs. Increased utility electrical costs is a good example. During the year of 1974, our pumping costs were $25,000. These costs have more than doubled, and the current year projected pumping costs will be over $65,000. These costs, as all others, must be passed on to those who receive this service. When rates are not raised to meet operating expenses, the eventual need is just delayed until a future time when they must be raised even more to cover the deficit incurred. Anyone with a business background knows of the need to depreciate fixed assets. A good illustration is as follows: You purchase a new car and pay cash for it. You know that in six years the car will be worn out, and you must replace it. At this time there are two options available. You can wait and borrow the money using installment payments to pay for the car, plus interest, or you can set a little money aside each year, knowing that in six years you must buy a new car. With the latter you receive, rather than pay interest costs; and this is known as depreciation. great. the past the City has not depreciated their utilities. Because of this, a bond election was needed to enable the City to borrow money for the replacement of worn-opipes, pumps, and etc. This administration is proposing to begin depreciation of our utilities, rather than borrow money again in twenty or thirty years. Part of the proposed rate increase would be used for this purpose. In Pictured are Walene Decker, Adult Council President and Wade Bitner, County Agent and Youth Agent from Tooele who returned home this week from San Francisco where they attended the 14th Annual Leaders Forum, along with Western Regional Halcyon L. Robins, USU Extension Home Economist and Youth Leader. They attended along with 600 other leaders from the region to participate in the conference. Based on the theme Building Bridges - Caring, Confidence and Commitment, the forum featured workshops, speakers and discussions of effective leadership development to meet the challenges of the Coun1980s. The forum is sponsored by National cil in behalf of the Cooperative Extension Service. Financial assistance is provided by the J C Penney Co. and its member stores throughout the Western States. Along with the conference, the leaders went on tours of the city and surrounding area, attended luncheons, banquets and displays. Next year, the Forum will be held 4-- 4-- 4-- 4-- ut What will the proposed rate increase do to a private individuals water bill? Last year the average monthly water bill was $5.20 per month. The average sewer bill was $4.00 per month. Under the new proposed rate increase, the average water bill would be $10.40 per month, and the average sewer bill would raise to $7.00 per month, for a total average increase of $8.20 per month per residence. These fees will be computed by charging 40 cents for every 1 00 cubic feet of water used. Under this proposal individuals have, control over the amount they will be assessed. This concept will allow those persons on fixed incomes to regulate the amount of water used. It should enable those who conserve water to reap the benefit of frugality through reduced monthly rates. The final result of the new proposal is this: You pay for what you use. Douglas V. Sagers Mayor Wade Bitner, County Agent is shown demonstrating how to prune an apple tree. This is one of the demonstrations that will be given at the Pruning Demonstration Saturday, 10 a.m. at 575 South Coleman, sponsored by the USU Extension Service. Linnis Mills, area vegetable crops and horticultural specialist for USU will be in Tooele along with Wade to demonstration. con-ductt- 7 |
