AB 1664 - Just for Fillmore

Thanks to Gracy Donahue, new City Treasurer, for tracking down these links to AB1664, (type 1664 into the bill number field) submitted by Audra Strickland. This bill will give priority funding for State funds to cities that have to increase their sewer rates 100% or more.

You can make comments on this bill and your comments (type in the bill number, then select the "comments button at top of page) will be given to the committee.

Patti Walker and Laurie Hernandez will be attending the public hearings on April 18th in Sacramento. However, I question why since at last Tuesday's council meeting a decision was made to pursue an exceedly expensive bond option at twice the interest cost of the state loans. City staff contend that it will take too long and be difficult to apply for the loans. However, this is the way EVERY other city and county are doing this(successfully and for the benefit and protection of their community), except for the very few who got sold the DBO package. Why is our city so married to DBO when they cannot prove that it has saved us any money?

We need to thank Audra Strickland for submitting this bill. We also need to thank Eduardo Gonzalez who made several trips to Sacramento at his own expense. And lastly, thank yourselves and the City Council and staff members who lobbied Ms. Strickland. The rally letters you all submitted, and Eduardo and his staff faxed to our representatives, were helpful.

Now if the City would cancel the American Water contract so that we can qualify for this funding if the bill is approved that could save us from becoming a “ghost town”.

Also, acknowledging that the State funds are our tax dollars to begin with, make sure that they go back with a more cost effective plant and NO 20 year privatization of operations and maintenance.

One point that we have not made clear is that the costs of the MBR itself are not the problem. The equipment is just a part of the overall contract. The soaring costs are due to the “over-engineering” of the entire project and, the fat legal fees and consulting fees. You can believe that a private sector project would not cost this much. It’s like the government’s $500 toilet seats – overkill.