Scrutiny of Whether There Should Be a Raise Increase

By John P. Carcione

There is perhaps no greater service and function of the Board than to scrutinize, analyze, and discuss the District's annual budget and financial stability. As President, I want to make sure the District Board take in all the necessary information and analyze it thoroughly before making a decision of raising the rates on our consumers.

While a rate increase may be necessary in the District's future, I would only vote for such an increase if it were clearly warranted. Recently, there was a motion to increase the rates. I opposed it, until further information was gained. At first, I was the lone wolf in that position, but I was later joined by the majority.

The District's long range plan to upgrade or replace much of the infrastructure ensures that our consumers will not have to deal with either failing infrastructure or massive cost increases. Our pay-as-you-go system is the most sensible and cost-effective method of financing. The non-profit Rebuild America estimates that in excess of 16,000 wastewater collection or treatment systems will require massive infusions of funds to ensure their continued operation for the next millenium.

The West Bay Sanitary District is fortunate that for the past several years, it has prepared and collected the funds necessary to replace our infrastructure when necessary.

Our customers can be assured that the pipelines and pump stations within the system will always be properly maintained and operated.