I hope Oakley and Bethel Island residents are paying attention as the Ironhouse Sanitary District just announced they will be hosting a public hearing on May 7, 2013 to consider increasing its capacity and plant capacity fees.
Given the vagueness of the public notice, there is no proposed fee increase that is clear, however, there is a play on words that is used within the document. For example, they say “adjustment” instead of increase or decrease in fees. They also fail to clearly state what they are proposing or why its needed.
In each of the two items, they list “A $.00″ increase in the trunkline fee and capacity fee. No number is given. Instead, it appears as if they will simply revert back to the old fees and discontinue the discounted rate which jumps trunkline capacity fees from $640.50 per unit to $854.00. For the discounted capacity fee, it jumps from $3,331.50 to $4,442.00
As I’ve stated in the past, Ironhouse needs to be more forthcoming in their plans when it comes to fees. Considering Oakley/Bethel Island are not exactly growing right now, its probably not a good idea for any increase.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
IRONHOUSE SANITARY DISTRICT
TRUNKLINE AND PLANT CAPACITY FEE INCREASES
On Tuesday, May 7, 2013, the Ironhouse Sanitary District (District) Board of Directors will hold a public hearing to consider an adjustment in trunkline capacity and plant capacity fees. This public hearing is part of a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board. Oral or written presentations may be made during the hearing. The Board’s meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be held at the District’s offices at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive, Oakley, California 94561.
The amounts of the proposed adjustment, which may be changed at the meeting, are as follows:
1. A $.00 increase in the trunkline capacity fee, keeping the fee at its current temporary discounted rate (Resolution No. 11-07, adopted September 6, 2011, effective September 12, 2011) of $640.50 per equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) until the temporary fee discount expires (September 30, 2013 or 350 EDU’s, whichever occurs first), at which time the fee will revert back to September 2011 non-discounted rate of $854.00.
2. A $.00 increase in the plant capacity fee, keeping the fee at its current temporary discounted rate (Resolution No. 11-07, adopted September 6, 2011, effective September 12, 2011) of $3,331.50 per equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) until the temporary fee discount expires (September 30, 2013 or 350 EDU’s, whichever occurs first), at which time the fee will revert back to September 2011 non-discounted rate of $4,442.00.
The adjustments in the trunkline and plant capacity fees are the District’s annual increases/decreases in accordance with District Ordinances No. 21 and 02 to keep the fees in line with construction cost inflation for the San Francisco Bay Area. The adjustments are based on the 0% increase posted in the March 2013 edition of the Engineering News-Record’s index of construction costs in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be held at the Ironhouse Sanitary District Office, 450 Walnut Meadows Drive, Oakley, California.
4 comments
While I am finally in the sewer district (been trying to be annexed into the district since the beginning of sewer service out here its a long disgusting story dating back the late 70’s) I still do not have have service-its tied into development. So while the price increase doesn’t effect me, maybe some day it will–when they build homes around me. But this is something that we don’t believe will happen in our life time, contrary to what the city believes LOL. Our annexation into the sewer district came with the annexation into the City. What pissed all of the residents out here off is that after years of promising that they will come back and get us, just before the annexation went through, the Ironhouse board tripled the hook up fees. So we got screwed again.
“screwed again” Good reason to go to the hearing and let your voice be heard.
If I recall back to election time, burkholder warned everyone the Board would get back to raising fees and they have been increased every year for the past 10 years. People deserve what they voted for.
Oakley and Bethel Island deserve this, I bet if Burkholder and Meadows were elected, they would not allow such vague agendas/notices sent out to the public.
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