The Best Response to a Proposed City of Tustin 30 Percent Water Rate “Increase” – Starts with an Attorney – Then an Full Audit of the City of Tustin Water Service – and Possibly a Class Action Lawsuit – It’s been done in Several Other Cities in Orange County. As a Goal – I would Also Expect to be able to Achieve a 30 Percent Rate “Decrease”. We Saved Water and We Saved Money During the Drought – and the City of Tustin Wants to Claw Back Money that We Worked Very Hard to Save.

Editorial –

I think that an Audit of Tustin Water Services would not only find enough – Waste – Inefficiency – Overtime Fraud – Pension Spiking – Contractor Fraud and Overpricing to “eliminate” any Need for a Rate increase – but as a Goal – I would Also Expect to be able to Achieve a 30 Percent Rate “Decrease”.

I’m willing to put up the first one or two thousand dollars to retain a Law firm to get started – later being reimbursed by Taxpayers / Ratepayers who I have No Doubt will be Thrilled with the aspect of an Outside Audit. The Law firm will communicate on behalf of Rate[payers – Making Claims and Demands – the Ratepayers will be Happy to Pay for all of this directly coming form the City of Tustin and Tustin Water Services Budget.

Spending time at Public Hearings and Watching Power Point Presentations is Frivolous as Public Employees and their Council Rubber Stampers – Just Like the PUC in California will Green Light any Possible Increase in Rates Taxes and Revenues. That’s How they Do Business.

Trivia – in 1958 the Tustin Water Works Charged Just $5 per Month for Water – All You Could Use – There Wasn’t Even a Meter.

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Tap water may seem free, especially in comparison to Perrier or Evian. But in fact, getting it to kitchen faucets comes with a price tag – and one that is inching upward, Tustin officials say.

“The cost of water has continued to rise annually,” said Michael Grisso, the city’s water services manager.

For the first time in five years, Tustin is looking at passing along those increases to consumers through a rise in rates. Early next year, the City Council will vote on a multi-year, incremental rate hike.

If council members approve the staff proposal, rates almost immediately will increase 6% per year for five years.

Current single-family residential rates are based on an escalating tier structure that starts at 84 cents per unit of water and caps at $4.05 per unit. One unit of water is equal to 748 gallons.

“Costs of operating and maintaining the water system have grown over the years,” Grisso said. “Electricity costs have increased, construction and maintenance costs have increased, material and labor costs have increased. The city is projecting these costs will continue to increase.”

About 80% of Tustin’s water comes from the local groundwater basin managed by the Orange County Water District. While it’s the least expensive source, Grisso said costs to the city have gone up 42% during the last four years.

The rest of the city’s water is imported from the Colorado River and Northern California. Transportation logistics make that water pricier, with costs going up about 10% during the last four years, Grisso said.

The City Council vote will directly follow a public hearing scheduled for Jan. 21.

https://www.ocregister.com/2019/10/08/as-cost-of-delivering-water-climbs-tustin-looks-at-raising-household-rates/