Portland Raises Water Rates, Proves It's All About the Money
The Portland City Council approved a 7.6% water increase today. That means an increase of around $2.00 per month.
Here is an excerpt from KATU about the increase:
The increase was less than the 11 percent originally approved by the City Council in February. But after public criticism, Mayor Sam Adams eventually scaled back the increase.
But some still complained that the city faces even bigger bills to pay for federally mandated covered reservoirs now being built by the water bureau.
"That's what will happen with this money. We will be paying for this. My grandchildren will be paying for this! Stop it!" said Joe Walsh with Individuals for Justice.
City Commissioner Randy Leonard said: "That's great to say to me, but I was not willing, representing the city of Portland, representing ratepayers, representing in many ways the state, to defy federal law and to say, 'we're not going to do it.'"
This move signals that the City Council is all about the money. They continue to fund vacant positions in the local government, and they continue to ignore the will of the people of the city.
I for one, hope that when the Mayoral race wraps up this fall, that the new administration will save Portland from the stupidity that preceded them.