Hello all
 
There is a short council agenda this time. Items of interest include:
 

• Item 13 -- Hearing on adoption of 2008/09 budget. After all the review and public input this is the finalization of the city budget for 2008/09. There are generally no changes at this point. Acceptance is expected. 
• Item 14--  Hearing on Amendments to Fiscal Year 2007/08 budget. Amendments to the current year's budget. Adjustments are usually small changes in revenue and spending.
• Item 18 -- Discussion of water rate structure modifications. The city is looking at changing the rate structure for water. Over the last few years we have seen about a 5% per year increase in peak usage of water. This increase is much greater then the city's population growth rate. Much of the increase is caused by lawn and other irrigation during the summer. If the increase in peak usage continues, it will soon exceed the capacity of the city's water treatment plant (see February comments about future rate increases).
  To delay and minimize the expense of a water treatment plant expansion the council is looking at both summer rates and inclining block rates. This should send a strong economic signal encouraging efficient use of water. Thus saving the average rate payer money.

 
That is it for now. More in a few weeks.
 
Jim Popken
City Council At Large
 
Disclaimer: My intent of this communication is to give you a heads up on items coming to the city council. I may state some of my impressions and leanings here. I will, however, try to avoid staking out a position on issues before the council meeting occurs. I feel that I should avoid committing to any positions until I have heard and considered all the public input at the council meeting before a vote.
 
See JimPopken.org for past postings.