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City sets hearing on budget, water rate increase

By Howard B. Owens

Two public hearings are scheduled for the Batavia City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Monday.

The first public hearing will be on the proposed 2010/2011 city budget, which includes a 1.5-percent property tax increase.

For background on the proposed budget, click here.

The second hearing will deal with a proposal to increase water rates in order to finance infrastructure improvements and maintenance.

For background on the proposed water rate increases, click here.

A public hearing is an opportunity for city residents to give input to the council on matters before the council. If you wish to weigh in on either of these topics in an official setting, this is your time to do it.

Peter O'Brien

I hope they understand that if water rates go up people will use less and they won't be getting more money and then the cycle will repeat till it becomes to expensive to live in the city.

Feb 6, 2010, 8:18am Permalink
John Roach

Peter,
The rate is set by the Monroe County Water Authority. It is passed on to the County, then the City. The City really has no choice.

And, we are locked into the contract with Monroe for about another 8 years, with no money being put aside to go our own way at the end of the contract, which means we will have to sign on again.

Feb 6, 2010, 3:07pm Permalink
Charlie Mallow

John is right. If you sign an agreement that says your cost for water will rise 3% a year and then refuse to pass on the true cost, you are doing nothing but playing politics.

What’s done is done and the time to complain is eight years from now when the agreement comes up for renewal. It is also going to take an investment of millions of dollars over that time to be in a position to provide our own water.

Feb 6, 2010, 5:38pm Permalink

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