Letter: Response to the water rate increase proposal

EDITOR,
After reading the “Proposed Water Rate Increases” pamphlet we got in the mail, I felt I must submit a written protest.
The reasons for the proposed rate increase are maintenance, improvements, and the guarantee of good, safe water. These are all things we are currently paying SLVWD to do now.
“Facilities consolidation” should consolidate and reduce costs, and should give us a reduction, not an increase, in rates.
If there is a specific project not covered by current charges, I can understand proposing an increase for 5 years — then dropping the increase and returning to the original rate.
If SLVWD wants to raise rates for day-to-day expenses, then I can understand raising rates in conjunction with the cost of living.
I do not believe the cost of living will increase a total of 55 percent in the next 5 years.
I also believe that the proposed increase will be a significant additional burden, especially for those on a fixed income.
David H. Guild, Ben Lomond