BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 Wednesday night\u2019s Bakersfield City Council meeting brought more questions than answers regarding the city\u2019s proposed sewer rate increases.<\/p>\n
City Manager Christian Clegg said the increase is necessary because the city has not collected enough revenue to maintain and replace aging sewer infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s simply a fact that we have not been getting enough money and all the funds that have come into sewer system have been spent on sewer its just insufficient to meet our ongoing maintenance and replacement needs,\u201d Clegg said.<\/p>\n
The original proposal called for a nearly 300% increase over five years, raising the annual sewer bill from $247 to $875 \u2014 an increase of more than $600.<\/p>\n
The proposal sparked backlash from residents during Wednesday\u2019s meeting, with dozens speaking out against the potential financial burden on working families.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has to be a better way to not be so astronomically high and hit us with this when everything else is happening,\u201d one resident said during public comment.<\/p>\n
Another speaker warned the increase could severely impact renters and homeowners alike. \u201cThis is going to be something they can\u2019t afford, it\u2019s going to break their backs so they\u2019ll have to either sell or just lose their homes because they won\u2019t be able to afford it. That\u2019s what I\u2019m saying, think about the renters.”<\/p>\n
Council member Andrae Gonzalez moved to delay the vote until May 27 to allow time to explore additional options, including a proposal from wastewater rate attorney Claire Collins, who represents Kern County.<\/p>\n
Collins suggested the city consider bond financing to reduce the immediate impact on ratepayers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that your council has historically shied away from bonds financing but if there was ever a time to do it, this is the time,\u201d Collins said. \u201cYou can be heroes in terms of ensuring more rate affordability by having a more modest 20%-36% rate increase and still achieve your infrastructure goals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael Turnipseed, Executive Director of the Kern County Taxpayers Association, also supported the bond financing idea, arguing it could help stabilize rates over time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you construct your bond properly the payment year one and the payment year 30 are the same,\u201d Turnipseed said. \u201cIt might be a little more painful up front, but it\u2019s certainly not the pain that the city was coming out with this $600, $700, $800 a month.\u201d<\/p>\n
City officials pushed back on the proposal, arguing bonds may not provide a sustainable long-term solution.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot keep going out to the public and saying we need more money more money more money then say oh wait a minute we forgot about this back here so now we need more money,\u201d Council member Ken Weir said.<\/p>\n
For now, questions remain about how the city will fund sewer system upgrades without placing additional strain on residents.<\/p>\n
If the council is unable to take action on May 27 \u2014 or if a full council is not present \u2014 the decision could be pushed to a future meeting.<\/p>\n
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