LEGAL NOTICE: posted in GDT stated there will be a public hearing on Tuesday 7/8/08 at 7pm relative to the following proposed water and sewer rates recommended
by the DPW effective 4/1/08 (retroactive). water rate $9.11 per thousand gallons; sewer rate $14.49 per thousand gallons. I do not know the process but is
there a chance that input at the public hearing can have a more positive affect the outcome of the rates?
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0 Kudo
water and sewer rates public hearing 7/8/08 7pm
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 harbordog |
water and sewer rates public hearing 7/8/08 7pm |
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(07/01/08 01:56 PM) |
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o Realist o |
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(07/01/08 02:34 PM) |
Only if you take up a collection to pay for the CSO project!
Only things that have no power of choice are perfect. Nature is, man isn't. |
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Foresta Gumpster |
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(07/01/08 02:53 PM) |
How can they charge us rates "retroactive" to April 1? The fiscal year begins July 1st. I certainly hope that they don't try to pull that on us,
my bill was certainly high enough already.
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Insider2004 |
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(07/01/08 03:03 PM) |
Unfortunately, they can.
Your water bill is an estimate of usage, based on previous readings. It's next to impossible to get readings for every water meter on the same day and have that inputed into the system and generate bills quickly enough so they use estimates. Then in the course of the next quarter, the accurate reading is taken and the new information is supplied to correct the previous bill. It's a practice that should change but is awaiting a solution. Also, even though the public hearing is an opportunity for the public to weight in, I doubt it means much, at least on this topic. The City's budget was just passed and it depends on the revenue from the Water and Sewer Rates to sustain it. So, unless the Council is going to re-open the budget hearings, make specific cuts and vote on it again before July 1st, I think these rates are a done deal. |
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harbordog |
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(07/01/08 03:14 PM) |
then what is the purpose of holding a "public hearing" on the issue?
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Matisse |
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(07/01/08 03:14 PM) |
That is not entirely true. Water meters are read via a radio signal which is transmitted from the house to a mobile computer unit. The readings are actual
readings. The city HAS estimated readings in the past---and created huge problems in the process. This happened when the Unifund system was implemented because
the geniuses that selected it did not fully investigate the compatibility with the water reading software. The water software uploads the readings to the
Unifund system, which turns the water usage data into a bill. Unifund could not initially accept the water readings, and the city needed the cash right away,
so they estimated everybody's bill.
During the normal course of business, the water consumption data on the bill reflects actual usage. |
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regnar |
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(07/01/08 03:17 PM) |
The rates have historically gone back a few months. The previous increase went back three months, just as this one is proposed to.
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Foresta Gumpster |
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(07/01/08 03:18 PM) |
Thanks for explaining that Matisse......... what Insider was saying about the "estimates" didn't sound right to me as it always shows it as
"actual" readings on my bills.
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leftwingnut |
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(07/01/08 03:20 PM) |
My readings have all been actual readings for going on two years now.
To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.-Theodore Roosevelt, The Kansas City Star, May 7, 1918 |
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Insider2004 |
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(07/01/08 03:34 PM) |
Mattisse,
My understanding is that it is an actual reading but that it is for two quarters prior to that and that the information is not gathered in real time. Therefore, there is an adjustment to the next bill. The July 1st bill can't possibly include usage for June 30th. |
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Matisse |
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(07/01/08 03:47 PM) |
The water reading equipment collects the actual usage. It is now technically possible to read the entire city in two days. However, the data usually sits in
the computer for a month (more or less). When you look at your bill there are several dates on there. There are the "usage dates" which are the days
the meter was actually read. This might say "previous reading March 1st ---current reading June 1st" The consumption number on the bill reflects
water used between March 1st and June 1st.
There are also "billing dates" on there. This reflects the date the bill was "written" and the due date is usually 30 days (or so) after the date the bill was written. |
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NightStalker |
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(07/01/08 03:58 PM) |
the city should have some compassion and extend the due dates another 30 days.
Born to Golf......Forced to work (for now anyway)
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Insider2004 |
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(07/01/08 04:00 PM) |
Thank you Matisse for educating us further.
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sprinkle14 |
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(07/01/08 05:24 PM) |
Curious-Can a homeowner request an actual reading each quarter??? I would like to think that is possible.
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mya crakstinks |
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(07/01/08 05:28 PM) |
they will sit there and hear the bitching for an hour then they will raise the rates
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globalwarmer07 |
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(07/01/08 05:32 PM) |
Mya is correct.
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leftwingnut |
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(07/01/08 05:36 PM) |
Of course he is -- we all agree that the voters here would never agree to an override.
There is no other way. To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.-Theodore Roosevelt, The Kansas City Star, May 7, 1918 |
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Insider2004 |
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(07/01/08 05:36 PM) |
Matisse,
Can you confirm that, since the budget has been set, any change in the proposed water and sewer increases would initiate additional cuts in those accounts and a re-opening of the budget process? Simply put, I doubt the Council will vote for a lower rate. |
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Dear GABBY |
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(07/01/08 08:19 PM) |
Is there anyway possible Gloucester City Residents can attend the meeting with a petition to plateau the rates- We are the highest in the nation already-
ridicioulous everyyear -----I cant afford it plain and simple
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regnar |
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(07/01/08 08:41 PM) |
Enterprise funds are specific - sewer rates pay for sewer related expense, water for water and wateways for waterways.
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Insider2004 |
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(07/01/08 08:54 PM) |
Right, but the Council just voted on the City budget which includes the Enterprise Account revenue and expenditures. So, if they changed the rates, the revenue
would also be altered, which means the accounts would not be balanced and therefore illegal.
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