Desert Messenger

16 www.DesertMessenger.com SEWER Rates by Skip Gallup, guest columnist Most of you have received a letter from the TOWN OF QUARTZSITE regarding the proposed sewer rate. Sewer rates are complicated – IF that is how you want to present them. The letter states in the third paragraph, first page, "nor does it ensure that year-round residents are not subsidizing seasonal users." It continues that, "All utility rate structures should be fair equitable and defendable; unfortunately, the Town's current rate structure is not." My original complaint was not as stated. The complaint was that unoccupied lots must pay full rates and business did not. In fact under the current rates any private home property owner (year round or seasonal) are supporting the business owners. I have owned my lot in town for over 18 months and have paid the Town over $1000.00 and have not used any water/sewer. The town has been aware of this for years. The Mayor was alarmed at one meeting and talked to me afterwards claiming that this had to change now as he was getting ready for reelection and did not feel he would be elected if this continued. The Mayor and Council have done nothing to get this changed. Now a proposed rate is given as the answer. If it is fair and equitable, WHY do the Single Family Users pay the highest rate and WHY are they automatically charged sewer usage of 3,000, or 5,000 or 20,000 gallons each month regardless of actual usage? And if you own your own lot and live in an RV, you will be charged as a single family. But if you live in an RV in a Park, you will pay 50% less per year for sewer service, for the same home. WHY the difference? I agree with the $15.00 charge for EACH customer/lot, perhaps. If you add 446 single family homes and 3362 other lots, just using that total and divide that into the fixed cost of the sewer plant you arrive at just under $15.00 each. However, some businesses in town will be charged $15.00 and others $48.00. How is this reflective to their "fair" share of the fixed cost? Motels are going to be charged at $5.48 per room. Does $5.48 also cover the rest of the motels operations? The fixed cost should be equal for each customer IF each customer uses the same amount of the plant facilities. For example, does an RV use the same amount of the sewer plant that a business with public restrooms? Each "lot" in town must be accounted for when designing the sewer plant and capacity reserved for each "hook-up". At least that is what the Town's sewer expert claims. Using the number of "hookups" and dividing that into the fixed cost gives the "base rate" for sewer/water rates ASSUMING each lot will use the same amount of the sewer plant. That still leaves the operating costs to handle. That is covered by the gallons of usage. The Town is using the figure that each single family dwelling uses just over 136 gallons of water each day. That is the figure that is claimed to be proper from the ADEQ. But no one will define a single family dwelling. In Quartzsite I would be surprised to find that much usage, and certainly not the average for "single family dwellings" in our town. The ADEQ does allow exceptions, if shown evidence. Why doesn't the town look at their records and determine what is the average for Quartzsite? What is the cost to produce a gallon July 17, 2013 of water and process a gallon of sewer in Quartzsite? The town must know this answer in order to follow their own codes. To date no one has been able to answer that question. If you do not know that answer, HOW can you determine the proper rate? The table on page two shows $20.10 for single family and the table on page three shows $15.00. Why the difference? The $20.10 includes 3000 gallons of sewer, BUT paragraph four on the second page claims commodity charge will be $0 if no water usage occurs. The Town is proposing that the Single Family hook ups will pay for a minimum sewer usage EVEN if they do not use any water or discharge any sewerage. NO OTHER CUSTOMERS have a minimum charge and yet the letter clearly states "fair and equitable" and "$0 if no water is used". Confused, I started by saying "Sewer rates are complicated – IF that is how you want to present them". Perhaps now you will understand that statement. The council/town determined to hold meetings when the winter visitors were not in town. Some of these "visitors" actually own property and are concerned as year-round residents. The Town could have held meetings last winter, but the choice was made to NOT HOLD MEETINGS. What we really need is a meeting where all factors can be discussed. Not argued, debated or shouting at each other, just a good honest discussion with answers. I am sure that a solution can be achieved in a spirit of harmony and good will ending with a fair rate for all. This type of meeting is needed, with all the politics left at the door. [Public Hearing is set for Aug. 13 at 6:30pm at Town Hall] AWC Fire Academy starts in August Arizona Western College (AWC) is seeking qualified applicants to begin the Fire Academy in August of 2013. Participants will be exposed to knowledge and skills necessary for certification as an entry-level Firefighter I. Successful completion of the Fire Academy qualifies the student to sit for the Firefighter I and II certification examination conducted by the Office of the Arizona State Fire Marshall. Pick up your academy packet at any La Paz County AWC location. AWC Reading Placement Test Must Be Completed Prior to Receipt of Academy Application Packet. You must have your high school diploma or GED to apply. Class starts August 22, 2013 Applications for the Program are Due August 8, 2013, by Noon. Applications will soon be available at the La Paz County AWC locations. Stop by and see us at 695 N. Kofa in Quartzsite, or 1109 S Geronimo in Parker. Questions Regarding the Program, Eligibility, and/or Requirements, Call: Chief Hess, Fire Academy Lead Instructor and Quartzsite Fire Chief, 928-927-6556 Margaret Dewey or Teresa Tozer, AWC Parker, 928-669-2214 Kathy Ocampo or Kimberly Kilwien, AWC Quartzsite, 928-927-8299 Lupe Fuentes, AWC PSI Secretary, 928-317-6452

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