Turlock’s Proposed Sewer Rate Increase: A Call for Collaborative Planning
The City of Turlock’s recent proposal to escalate industrial sewer fees by an alarming 400% prompts pressing questions surrounding infrastructure planning and economic sustainability. While it’s undeniable that maintaining the city’s infrastructure is vital, the procedure behind this sudden rate change demands thorough scrutiny.
Concerns Over Planning and Communication
The method employed by the City in proposing this rate adjustment highlights significant weaknesses in its long-term strategic planning and communication practices. Rather than collaborating with local businesses to establish a comprehensive and sustainable plan, Turlock has opted for a drastic one-time increase, neglecting to investigate more feasible options such as implementing gradual, phased increases. Particularly troubling is the lack of proactive engagement with major employers who will be directly affected; these stakeholders could have provided crucial insights leading to a more efficient resolution.
Impact on Local Businesses
The implications are staggering: Industrial entities could face a fourfold hike in their rates over the coming year. For many businesses, this translates into additional costs amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars with little prior warning or opportunity for feedback.
Moreover, it appears that the City carried out its rate study without appropriate consultation from key industries affected by this decision. Our outreach efforts to both city officials and council members reveal a concerning gap in understanding concerning how large employers will be impacted by such steep rate hikes. Interestingly, while Turlock generates over $1.5 million per year from selling treated wastewater, there seems to be ambiguity regarding how these funds are utilized or why an increase on this scale is necessary at present.
A Request for Constructive Dialogue
During our individual discussions with representatives from the City and City Council, we presented several straightforward requests aimed at fostering better communication:
- Temporarily suspend current Proposition 218 procedures
- Organize focused meetings with affected industries to assess operational ramifications
- Investigate alternative funding sources for necessary infrastructure upgrades
- Ponder a gradual implementation of rate increases allowing businesses ample time for financial planning
- Clearly articulate how current revenues from wastewater sales are being allocated
- Create a more transparent process moving forward involving all stakeholders in future infrastructural decisions
The Economic Importance of Industrial Employers
The industrial sector plays an essential role in bolstering Turlock’s economy. We are eager to contribute positively toward solutions that safeguard reliable infrastructure while promoting continued economic growth within our community. By working together alongside influential industrial enterprises, Turlock can forge an approach towards infrastructural funding that meets municipal demands whilst also fuelling economic vitality. We strongly encourage civic leaders to foster genuine dialogue with local stakeholders before executing decisions that have lasting effects on all constituents.
— Stacey Kollmeyer Johnson, Executive Director; Maryn Pitt, Policy Director
Manufacturers Council of the Central Valley
