Friction-free rate increases (July 21, 2015)

An interesting note accompanied my latest sewer bill from the Town of Apple Valley. Dear Resident, it read.

Please note that the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) has increased wastewater fees to the Town of Apple Valley effective July 1. As a result, your sewer charges will increase 11.5% as of July 1.

Considering the tantrums the Town manufactures over water rates, you have to wonder: Where’s the Town’s outrage over this sewer increase? When were the meetings held to whip up opposition? When did the Town ask citizens to sign a petition to denounce this increase? How many attorneys did TOAV send to fight this?

Clearly, the Town didn’t lift a finger, because it stands to gain from the higher charges.

Hopefully, everyone thinks about this when considering what our water bills will become, should the Town succeed in its hostile takeover of Apple Valley Ranchos Water Company. Without the protection of the California Public Utilities Commission, the Office of Ratepayer Associates, and the whole protest mechanism we currently enjoy, we’ll be completely at the Town’s mercy.

Greg Raven is Co-Chair of Apple Valley Citizens for Government Accountability, and is concerned about quality of life issues.

Published: Citizens for Government Accountability