What you haven't mentioned is the $7.5 million bond that was included in the budget. This bond, by the way, would just about double the PSWID debt to about $15 million. The PSWID Board has no master plan. PSWID admitted at the meeting that it had no idea about interest rates and the cost of the bond. What is this bond going to do to future water rates and property taxes? Don't you think you should have a plan before saddling the people with additional debt?
I can, if grudginly, accept the water rate increase and property tax increase, but a bond issue with no plan is foolish and careless!
On Saturday, May 18 the Pine Cultural Center was filled to almost capacity. The people were there for the PSWID budget/rate hearing. An overwhellming majority of those in attendance were not in favor of the "proposed" budget. After about two hours the public finished and the meeting was turned over to the PSWID Board of Directors. With little or no discussion the "proposed" budget was approved.
The scariest part of the "proposed" budget (now approved) in my opinion is the $7.5 million bond issue. At Saturday's meeting the board admitted that they have no idea about interest rates and costs. They do not have a master plan in place. How much is this bond going to cost the public in increased water rates and property taxes? If property taxes are going to be used to pay the bond, doesn't the bond issue have to be voted upon by the publlic? By the way the $7.5 bond issue, would just about double PSWID debt to about $15 million.
At a recent PSWID town hall meeting, Tommie Cline Martin reminded people in attendance that "you are the owners of the water district." If we, the public, are the owners of the water district, why won't the board listen to us and act according to our wishes?
The PSWID board made the comment that only 4 or 5 people were at a previous meeting. Would increased attendance at board meetings make a difference, and would the board then act as the public (the owners of PSWID) wish?
O, yes, the PSWID board in recognition that the "proposed" budget (now approved) may create a hardship for some, is looking into creating a means whereby people can contribute money to help pay the water bills of those who can't pay. How do you feel about a water district also becoming a charitable organization? If it is not a charitable organization, what is it? How is this "help your neighbor pay the water bill" operation going to work?
I guess I have many questions and too few answers.
Pam, well said. I hope they (PSWID Board) will finally listen to the people. If they don't then it is time for a recall. Expensive, yes, but they forced it!
Many, many years ago my husband and I were tourists in New Orleans. We were just wondering around and got a bit off the beaten track. I entered into a little shop and once inside couldn't get out fast enough. The reason--I had wondered into a shop filled with voodoo stuff. Once outside the shop my heart rate was elevated and I was breathing at a fast rate. I guess I had the fight or flee reaction. To this day, I cannot understand my reaction. Like most everyone I had heard of it and had dismissed it as an "oddity."
It should be noted that the budget document I received from PSWID is the proposed budget. A budget won't be final until after the May 18 meeting. That is why it is so important that we contact Board members with our concerns, talk to our neighbors, write letters to the Payson Roundup and show up at the May 18 meeting at 10 a.m. at the Pine Cultural Center, etc.
Maybe just maybe we can get the board to understand that we don't want a $7,500,000 bond issue.
PSWID currently is about $7 million in debt. I think that is enough debt for a water district the size of PSWID.
It is interesting to note that the budget document I received from PSWID states that Base Rates (the $42.50 that Pam refers to) will be charged starting 7-1-2013 and tier rates will be charged starting 8-1-2013 for July usage.
Tom, I agree PSWID does need a basic rate. However, the problem that PSWID had centered on the fact that 3,000 gallons of water was included in the basic rate. People objected to the 3,000 gallons saying that they never use that amount in a month. Some said that they don't even use that much water in a year. Therefore, I believe that the basic rate objectors were hoping that the 3,000 gallons would be lowered or removed making it possible to lower the basic rate.
Unfortunately, if I understand correctly PSWID is removing the 3,000 gallons of water and keeping the basic rate the same or raising it. If this is true, PSWID has just slapped the public in the face or if you prefer has given us one big kick in the rear. Anyway it is once again a show of "we don't have to listen--we can do as we please."
A big deal was made at the town hall meeting that the board members could not speak at the town hall. Well, apparently they misunderstood and thought that they weren't suppose to listen and take into account what the public was saying. So, I will print it here in capital letters and hope that they will read it and understand.
PEOPLE WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT WATER RATES
I had hoped that with new leadership on the PSWID board would bring a willingness to listen and respond to the public. Instead we are getting same ol' same ol'.
I sure do people turn out May 18 at the Pine Cultural Center at 10 a.m.
John Steinbeck in the book, "Travels with Charley," asks the question "can you go back home again?" On this trip through the U.S., finally reaching Salinas, he comes to the conclusion that you really can't. Tom, I think you might agree with him. I am hoping that the historical buildings have been saved and maintained in New London.
I know that revisiting some of my childhood haunts has proved to be an eye opener. The swimming pool i used to go to is quite a bit smaller than I remember it, and the slides aren't nearly as high. And my high school??? well, the cafeteria -- heartbreak! The river is still there, however, the opposite bank seems so much closer.
By the way isn't the Coast Guard Academy located in New London?
Bernice Winandy 2 days, 4 hours ago on A painful necessity
A painful necessity
What you haven't mentioned is the $7.5 million bond that was included in the budget. This bond, by the way, would just about double the PSWID debt to about $15 million. The PSWID Board has no master plan. PSWID admitted at the meeting that it had no idea about interest rates and the cost of the bond. What is this bond going to do to future water rates and property taxes? Don't you think you should have a plan before saddling the people with additional debt?
I can, if grudginly, accept the water rate increase and property tax increase, but a bond issue with no plan is foolish and careless!
Bernice Winandy 2 days, 14 hours ago on What can the public do to gain control of their ownership?
What can the public do to gain control of their ownership?
On Saturday, May 18 the Pine Cultural Center was filled to almost capacity. The people were there for the PSWID budget/rate hearing. An overwhellming majority of those in attendance were not in favor of the "proposed" budget. After about two hours the public finished and the meeting was turned over to the PSWID Board of Directors. With little or no discussion the "proposed" budget was approved.
The scariest part of the "proposed" budget (now approved) in my opinion is the $7.5 million bond issue. At Saturday's meeting the board admitted that they have no idea about interest rates and costs. They do not have a master plan in place. How much is this bond going to cost the public in increased water rates and property taxes? If property taxes are going to be used to pay the bond, doesn't the bond issue have to be voted upon by the publlic? By the way the $7.5 bond issue, would just about double PSWID debt to about $15 million.
At a recent PSWID town hall meeting, Tommie Cline Martin reminded people in attendance that "you are the owners of the water district." If we, the public, are the owners of the water district, why won't the board listen to us and act according to our wishes?
The PSWID board made the comment that only 4 or 5 people were at a previous meeting. Would increased attendance at board meetings make a difference, and would the board then act as the public (the owners of PSWID) wish?
O, yes, the PSWID board in recognition that the "proposed" budget (now approved) may create a hardship for some, is looking into creating a means whereby people can contribute money to help pay the water bills of those who can't pay. How do you feel about a water district also becoming a charitable organization? If it is not a charitable organization, what is it? How is this "help your neighbor pay the water bill" operation going to work?
I guess I have many questions and too few answers.
Bernice Winandy 1 week, 2 days ago on PSWID hasn't learned their lesson YET!
PSWID hasn't learned their lesson YET!
Pam, well said. I hope they (PSWID Board) will finally listen to the people. If they don't then it is time for a recall. Expensive, yes, but they forced it!
Bernice Winandy 1 week, 4 days ago on 218 Putting two and two together....
218 Putting two and two together....
Many, many years ago my husband and I were tourists in New Orleans. We were just wondering around and got a bit off the beaten track. I entered into a little shop and once inside couldn't get out fast enough. The reason--I had wondered into a shop filled with voodoo stuff. Once outside the shop my heart rate was elevated and I was breathing at a fast rate. I guess I had the fight or flee reaction. To this day, I cannot understand my reaction. Like most everyone I had heard of it and had dismissed it as an "oddity."
Bernice Winandy 1 week, 6 days ago on BABY
BABY
Congratulations, Pat! How wonderful to be the great grandmother of a new baby! I wish your family well. 8 1/2 pounds!!!
Bernice Winandy 2 weeks, 1 day ago on PSWID hasn't learned their lesson YET!
PSWID hasn't learned their lesson YET!
It should be noted that the budget document I received from PSWID is the proposed budget. A budget won't be final until after the May 18 meeting. That is why it is so important that we contact Board members with our concerns, talk to our neighbors, write letters to the Payson Roundup and show up at the May 18 meeting at 10 a.m. at the Pine Cultural Center, etc.
Maybe just maybe we can get the board to understand that we don't want a $7,500,000 bond issue.
PSWID currently is about $7 million in debt. I think that is enough debt for a water district the size of PSWID.
Bernice Winandy 2 weeks, 2 days ago on PSWID hasn't learned their lesson YET!
PSWID hasn't learned their lesson YET!
It is interesting to note that the budget document I received from PSWID states that Base Rates (the $42.50 that Pam refers to) will be charged starting 7-1-2013 and tier rates will be charged starting 8-1-2013 for July usage.
Bernice Winandy 2 weeks, 2 days ago on PSWID hasn't learned their lesson YET!
PSWID hasn't learned their lesson YET!
Tom, I agree PSWID does need a basic rate. However, the problem that PSWID had centered on the fact that 3,000 gallons of water was included in the basic rate. People objected to the 3,000 gallons saying that they never use that amount in a month. Some said that they don't even use that much water in a year. Therefore, I believe that the basic rate objectors were hoping that the 3,000 gallons would be lowered or removed making it possible to lower the basic rate.
Unfortunately, if I understand correctly PSWID is removing the 3,000 gallons of water and keeping the basic rate the same or raising it. If this is true, PSWID has just slapped the public in the face or if you prefer has given us one big kick in the rear. Anyway it is once again a show of "we don't have to listen--we can do as we please."
Bernice Winandy 2 weeks, 3 days ago on PSWID hasn't learned their lesson YET!
PSWID hasn't learned their lesson YET!
A big deal was made at the town hall meeting that the board members could not speak at the town hall. Well, apparently they misunderstood and thought that they weren't suppose to listen and take into account what the public was saying. So, I will print it here in capital letters and hope that they will read it and understand.
PEOPLE WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT WATER RATES
I had hoped that with new leadership on the PSWID board would bring a willingness to listen and respond to the public. Instead we are getting same ol' same ol'.
I sure do people turn out May 18 at the Pine Cultural Center at 10 a.m.
Bernice Winandy 2 weeks, 3 days ago on 203 What do you think about this?
203 What do you think about this?
John Steinbeck in the book, "Travels with Charley," asks the question "can you go back home again?" On this trip through the U.S., finally reaching Salinas, he comes to the conclusion that you really can't. Tom, I think you might agree with him. I am hoping that the historical buildings have been saved and maintained in New London.
I know that revisiting some of my childhood haunts has proved to be an eye opener. The swimming pool i used to go to is quite a bit smaller than I remember it, and the slides aren't nearly as high. And my high school??? well, the cafeteria -- heartbreak! The river is still there, however, the opposite bank seems so much closer.
By the way isn't the Coast Guard Academy located in New London?