Don’t make existing ratepayers pay for new water plant

Mar 28, 2009 2 min read

To the editor:

I am a ratepayer and object to possibly having to pay for infrastructure I will not be hooked up to. There has to be a way for those who will be hooked into the water treatment plant and sewer treatment plant to pay for this. My, and other ratepayers’, financial situation is no different than those who will use these plants. I am hearing of a rate increase of $20 a month just for this. This is an outrage and ratepayers need to band together to get this idea defeated.

I have also heard there will be a vote next Monday on this. No vote should be taken until the public has a chance to express their outrage about this. The city has always said “growth pays for growth.” Now it is time for the city to follow this. Let those who will use the new plants pay for it, just like we paid for ours. I am also penalized in the sewer rate because I own a home with a pool. Sewer rates are charged by how many gallons of water is used. Water added to the pool certainly didn’t go down the sewer. Why are pool owners penalized for this? This also needs to be changed.

I urge all ratepayers to attend the next city council meeting and express their outrage at possibly being charged for infrastructure we will not use.

Bruce R. Miller

Cape Coral