Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-01-04 Correspondence BARKER A P A R T M E N T S January 2, 1996 Naomi Novick 306 Mullin Ave. Iowa City, Iowa 52246 F LE!3 Copy For City Clerko 6 JEtt -2 AH 10:50 CI'i'"( IOWA CITY, IOWA Dear Councilor Novick: Rather than going into any further detail, please refer to the materials I sent to you on December 11, ! 995. Those materials included a rather detailed letter to Mr. Atldns along with rate proposals ~om the City staff and one from me. Mr. Arkins' position appears to be that he will not direct the Director of Finance to prepare any more scenarios unless directed to do so by the City Council. My suggestion to you is to, at your organizational meeting, direct the City Manager to provide a suggested rate structure based on 10% and 15% cash accumulation for the water and wastewater projects respectively, using an anticipated interest rate on bonds of 6.5%, and a construction schedule similar to the one currently under consideration. I would like to think that you are open to suggestions until the final voting has taken place If that is the case, you have time to review this material and to study a rate proposal as suggested above.. When you do, I believe you will come to the conclusion that a 15% overall increase in water/wastewater rates effective with billings after March 1, 1996 will accomplish your goals. The current recormnendation by the City Manager calls for a 21.2% overall rate increase effective with billings after March 1, 1996. I suspect it will take no more than four or five hours time for the Director of Finances to process the numbers. Isn't it worth it to find out that a 15% rather than a 21% increase in the combined water/wastewater rates effective March 1, 1996 and using a 10% and 15% cash accumulation for the water and wastewater projects respectively, will get the job done? By requesting this information from the City Manager at your organizational meeting, you will still have time for the three votes necessary in January to pass the ordinance in time for the new rates to be effective beginning with March, 1996 billings. You have within your grasp the ability to provide the quality and quantity of water we need to protect the environment from our wastewater and to provide a rate structure that is reasonable and will be acceptable to most of our citizens. It is not too much for the people of Iowa City to expect you to do all three things. Best of all, you can do all three things. Sincerely yours, Edwin K. Barker Seville Scotsdale Park Place Parkside Manor Westgate Villa 6 Lime Kiln Lane N.E. · Iowa City, Iowa 52240 · (319) 354-2410 Emerald Court Kiwanis Park has been spelled incorrectly in some correspondence as Kiwannis. Proper spelling is Kiwanis Park.