Supervisors Hear Proposed T.U.D Changes
Sonora, CA– Today the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors heard a presentation by the Tuolumne Utilities District regarding proposed water rate increases.
T.U.D General Manager Pete Kampa is Wednesday’s KVML “Newsmaker of the Day”.
According to T.U.D, a recent Water Rate Study found that treated and raw water service rates have not kept up with the cost of providing service. The study proposes rate increases to pay for the cost of operations, maintenance, administration, debt service, and water system upgrade projects.
T.U.D says that if the water rate increase is not approved, it will be forced to reduce system maintenance and cancel planned construction projects which could result in future water increases.
“In order for us to get this under control and not go broke and not have a reliable infrastructure, we’ve got to either cut 2 ½ million dollars or raise revenue,” said T.U.D General Manager Pete Kampa. “Right now we’re running between 2 and 2 ½ million dollars in the red.”
If the rate increase is approved, the minimum monthly service charge for treated water customers will jump from the current $27.06 to $40.64, effective January 1st. The average estimated monthly charge for the average treated water customer would increase from $40.56 to $50.06.
T.U.D will hold a public hearing December 7th at 9am, where the community can voice their opinions about the proposed rate increases.
The “Newsmaker of the Day” is heard each weekday morning on AM 1450 KVML at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45am.
Written by tina.falco@mlode.com
