The Tulare City Council ratified an increase in local water rates. Councilman Carlton Jones alone voted to oppose the increase. The decision comes on the heels of the Tulare Board of Public Utilities taking similar action. This is the third of five annual rate increases to bring in additional revenue to Tulare’s water system. The council and BPU also approved a temporary drought surcharge earlier this year.
When the rate was initially approved, council members wanted a provision that called for reviewing the increase each year. Jones said he opposed the water increase because residents’ consumption has decreased and those living on a fixed income struggle to pay added costs. “If the goal is to preserve water, why is the rate going up?” he said. “It doesn’t help much when they take steps to save water and we take the money at the end of the month anyway.”
Tulare Finance Director Darlene Thompson said the rate increase was needed. “Water division worked hard to reduce operating and capital expenditures even through the drought situation,” she said. “Even with the reduction in expenses the rate is still needed to maintain and improve its financial condition.”