shiawasseecounty.net

This is what I said at tonight's Owosso City Council meeting:

WATER RATE INCREASES

This council has got to try harder to avoid any water and sewer rate increase. Gary Burk appears to me, to be a very competent supervisor of our water works department. He wants the very best possible system for Owosso.
But these are difficult times. With the escalating war in Iraq, high energy costs, Michigan’s dependence on the auto industry eroding away, and our community losing numerous small factories, Owosso’s residents are stressed. You have to try to keep any tax increases to a minimum.

I would like to offer a suggestion of an independent review of the condition of our system. I am quite sure that Mr. Burk would welcome any suggestions of maintaining our present water system without increasing taxes. Council, every alternative should be explored, before taxes are raised.

Also, a comment was made at the last meeting that only a couple of new out-of-town water connections have been made since the city said they would allow them. What do you expect when the water rates are twice as high for outside residents. Most, if not all, nearby residents already have water. They will call the city when they have a problem, not right away. You should have anticipated this. This should not have come to you as a surprise.
The city’s new water policy will reap benefits for the community, but it is going to take time. Let us not punish the existing water users with another rate increase, based upon faulty expectations.