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HomeMy WebLinkAboutContracts & Agreements_52-2011_CCv0001.pdf a City of PAUL FOSTER Mayor Pro Tcm REDLANDS JON HARRISON PETE AGUILAR Council Member Mayor Incorporated 18M JERRY BEAN 35 Cajon Street, Redlands, CA 92373 Council Member 909-798-7533 paguilariu cityofredlands_org BOB GARDNER Council Member May 3, 2011 Senator Bob Dutton State Capitol, Room 305 Sacramento, CA 95814 Subject: OPPOSE SB34 Dear Honorable Bob Dutton: On behalf of the Redlands City Council I am writing you today to express our concerns and OPPOSITION to SB34, the Water Resources Investment Act of 201 L The City of Redlands has provided water services to the community since 1910. Currently, Redlands provides water to a population of approximately 78,000 within its service area, and has a service area encompassing 36 square miles. Our understanding of SB34 in its current form is that it is contrary to the beneficiary-pays principle N the California Legislature has subscribed to. This principle is evident in Proposition 218, which requires taxpayers receiving benefit for services to pay for those services. According to the language in SB34, water utility customers across the state will be required to fund improvements, regardless of whether they have, or will ever, receive any benefit. Currently, nearly half of Redlands' water is obtained from the Santa Ana River and. Mill Creek. Much of these local supplies were acquired by Redlands nearly 100 years ago. To this day, Redlands continues to obtain additional shares of local water supplies. These efforts have led to a sustainable and reliable local water supply free from the issues associated with the Delta. SB34 does not consider these efforts by Redlands. Our efforts to obtain and cultivate our local water supplies receive no consideration under this legislation. Redlands has also invested tens of millions of dollars to promote and utilize recycled water. In fact, the recycled and non-potable water projects constructed by Redlands add to the reliability of the community's water supply and reduce the region's reliance on State Water Project water. Unfortunately, SB34 does not consider these efforts. The significant funds spent by Redlands, and other agencies in the area, to reduce our reliance on imported State Water Project water receive no credit. This could discourage local water purveyors from further developing local water supplies, adding further stress to the Delta. Senator Bob Dutton May 3, 2011 Page 2 of 2 �_-11 With the recent enactment of SBx7-7 water providers are required to reduce their deliveries 20 percent by 2020. Redlands supports and promotes water conservation to its customers; however, SBx7-7 will significantly impact the city's revenues necessary to properly operate and maintain our water system. SB34 adds to the burden of providing a reliable drinking water service to our customers by requiring water utilities to pay a tax, which will need to be passed to our customers, requiring them to pay more for this essential service. In general, local water utilities are best equipped to understand the local complexities and needs of their customers; and managing local water resources is best done by the professional utility managers serving their particular region. SB34 disregards this understanding and would reallocate our financial resources to others outside our jurisdiction who are less likely to understand our local complexities and needs. This is an inappropriate shift from local control at a time when many in state government are recognizing the need to return local control in many areas of governance. Based on prior versions of the bill, SB34 will tax Redlands residents over $3 million per year, at a time when our citizens are suffering more than ever. It has been reported that the economic recovery in San Bernardino County, where Redlands is located, is among the slowest and has an unemployment rate of 13.7 percent. This condition alone should dissuade the pursuit of additional increases in taxes. 16 Based on our understanding of the bill in its current form, it does not equitably allocate the costs based on benefits received for improvements intended to be implemented, provides no credit for the tens of millions of dollars spent to obtain local and recycled water supplies, shifts financial resources outside of the local community, shifts decision making from the local agencies under the flawed notion that large bureaucratic governance is better suited to resolve local issues, and will negatively impact the struggling Inland Empire economic recovery, we look for your leadership in OPPOSING SB34. We would be happy to provide any additional information you might wish to review on this critical issue. Please contact Chris Diggs on the City's staff at 909-798-7658 with any questions. Sincerely, Pete Aguilar Mayor city of PAUL,FOSTER Mayor Pro Tem Ax REDLANDS ION HARRISON PETE AGUILAR Council Member Mayor Incorporated IMS 35 Cajon Street, Redlands, CA 92373 JERRY BEAN 909-798-7533 Council Member paguilaria cityofredlands.org BOB GARDNER Council Member May 3, 2011 The Honorable Joe Simitian State Capitol, Room 2080 Sacramento, CA 95814 Subject: OPPOSE SB34 Dear Senator Joe Simitian: On behalf of the Redlands City Council I am writing you today to express our concerns and OPPOSITION to S1334, the Water Resources Investment Act of 2011. The City of Redlands has provided water services to the community since 1910. Currently, Redlands provides water to a population of approximately 78,000 within its service area, and has a service area encompassing 36 square miles. Our understanding of your bill, S1334, in its current form is that it is contrary to the beneficiary-pays principle the California Legislature has subscribed to. This principle is evident in Proposition 218, which requires taxpayers receiving benefit for services to pay for those services. According to the language in S1334, water utility customers across the state will be required to fund improvements, regardless of whether they have, or will ever, receive any benefit. Currently, nearly half of Redlands' water is obtained from the Santa Ana River and Mill Creek. Much of these local supplies were acquired by Redlands nearly 100 years ago. To this day, Redlands continues to obtain additional shares of local water supplies. These efforts have led to a sustainable and reliable local water supply free from the issues associated with the Delta. SB34 does not consider these efforts by Redlands. Our efforts to obtain and cultivate our local water supplies receive no consideration under your legislation. Redlands has also invested tens of millions of dollars to promote and utilize recycled water. In fact, the recycled and non-potable water projects constructed by Redlands add to the reliability of the community's water supply and reduce the region's reliance on State Water Project water. Unfortunately, SB34 does not consider these efforts. The significant funds spent by Redlands, and other agencies in the area, to reduce our reliance on imported State Water Project water receive no credit. This could discourage local water purveyors from further developing local water supplies, adding further stress to the Delta. With the recent enactment of SBx7-7 water providers are required to reduce their deliveries 20 percent by 2020. Redlands supports and promotes water conservation to its customers; however Senator Joe Simitian May 3, 2011 Page 2 of 2 SBx7-7 will significantly impact the city's revenues necessary to properly operate and maintain our water system. SB34 adds to the burden of providing a reliable drinking water service to our customers by requiring water utilities to pay a tax which will need to be passed to our customers, requiring them to pay more for this essential service. Since recycled water adds to the reliability and sustainability of the region, SBx7-7 allows for recycled water deliveries to be considered within the requirements of the legislation and offers credit for these efforts. SB34 should, at a minimum, consider the efforts of local water agencies to reduce their demand for State Water Project water. In general, local water utilities are best equipped to understand the local complexities and needs of their customers; and managing local water resources is best done by the professional utility managers serving their particular region. SB34 disregards this understanding and would reallocate our financial resources to others outside our jurisdiction who are less likely to understand our local complexities and needs. This is an inappropriate shift from local control at a time when many in state government are recognizing the need to return local control in many areas of governance. Based on prior versions of your bill, SB34 will tax Redlands residents over $3 million per year, at a time when our citizens are suffering more than ever. It has been reported that the economic recovery in San Bernardino County, where Redlands is located, is among the slowest and has an unemployment rate of 13.7 percent. This condition alone should dissuade the pursuit of additional increases in taxes. Based on our understanding of your bill in its current form, SB34 does not equitably allocate the costs based on benefits received for improvements intended to be implemented, provides no credit for the tens of millions of dollars spent to obtain local and recycled water supplies, shifts financial resources outside of the local community, shifts decision making from the local agencies under the flawed notion that large bureaucratic governance is better suited to resolve local issues, and will negatively impact the struggling Inland Empire economic recovery, we look for your leadership in revising the language in your bill to best meet the needs of the state and the communities within. We would be happy to provide any additional information you might wish to review on this critical issue. Please contact Chris Diggs on the City's staff at 909-798-7658 with any questions. Sincerely, Fete Aguilar Mayor C�11 l) PAUL FOSTER _ Mayor Pro Tem REDLANDS Council ARRISON PETE AGUILAR Member Mayor Incorporated 1888 JERRY BEAN 35 Cajon Street, Redlands,CA 92373 Council Mcmber 909-798-7533 paguilaroacityofredlands.org BOB GARDNER Council Member May 3, 2011 The Honorable Mike Morrell State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 Subject: OPPOSE SB34 Dear Honorable Mike Morrell: On behalf of the Redlands City Council I am writing you today to express our concerns and OPPOSITION to S1134, the Water Resources Investment Act of 2011. The City of Redlands has provided water services to the community since 1910. Currently, Redlands provides water to a population of approximately 78,000 within its service area, and has a service area encompassing 36 square miles. Our understanding of SB34 in its current form is that it is contrary to the beneficiary-pays principle the California Legislature has subscribed to. This principle is evident in Proposition 218, which requires taxpayers receiving benefit for services to pay for those services. According to the language in S1334, water utility customers across the state will be required to fund improvements, regardless of whether they have, or will ever, receive any benefit. Currently, nearly half of Redlands' water is obtained from the Santa Ana River and Mill Creek. Much of these local supplies were acquired by Redlands nearly 100 years ago. To this day, Redlands continues to obtain additional shares of local water supplies. These efforts have led to a sustainable and reliable local water supply free from the issues associated with the Delta. SB34 does not consider these efforts by Redlands. Our efforts to obtain and cultivate our local water supplies receive no consideration under this legislation. Redlands has also invested tens of millions of dollars to promote and utilize recycled water. In fact, the recycled and non-potable water projects constructed by Redlands add to the reliability of the community's water supply and reduce the region's reliance on State Water Project water. Unfortunately, SB34 does not consider these efforts. The significant fiends spent by Redlands, and other agencies in the area, to reduce our reliance on imported State Water Project water receive no credit. This could discourage local water purveyors from further developing local water supplies, adding further stress to the Delta. Senator Mike Morrell May 3, 2011 Page 2 of 2 With the recent enactment of SBx7-7 water providers are required to reduce their deliveries 20 percent by 2020. Redlands supports and promotes water conservation to its customers; however, SBx7-7 will significantly impact the city's revenues necessary to properly operate and maintain our water system. SB34 adds to the burden of providing a reliable drinking water service to our customers by requiring water utilities to pay a tax, which will need to be passed to our customers, requiring them to pay more for this essential service. In general, local water utilities are best equipped to understand the local complexities and needs of their customers; and managing local water resources is best done by the professional utility managers serving their particular region. SB34 disregards this understanding and would reallocate our financial resources to others outside our jurisdiction who are less likely to understand our local complexities and needs. This is an inappropriate shift from local control at a time when many in state government are recognizing the need to return local control in many areas of governance. Based on prior versions of the bill, SB34 will tax Redlands residents over $3 million per year, at a time when our citizens are suffering more than ever. It has been reported that the economic recovery in San Bernardino County, where Redlands is located, is among the slowest and has an unemployment rate of 13.7 percent. This condition alone should dissuade the pursuit of additional increases in taxes. Based on our understanding of the bill in its current form, it does not equitably allocate the costs based on benefits received for improvements intended to be implemented, provides no credit for the tens of millions of dollars spent to obtain local and recycled water supplies, shifts financial resources outside of the local community, shifts decision making from the local agencies under the flawed notion that large bureaucratic governance is better suited to resolve local issues, and will negatively impact the struggling Inland Empire economic recovery, we look for your leadership in OPPOSING S1334. We would be happy to provide any additional information you might wish to review on this critical issue. Please contact Chris Diggs on the City's staff at 909-798-7658 with any questions. Sincerely, Pete Aguilar Mayor cc: Senator Joe Simitian