Opposing viewpoints

The Hernando Today wrote an editorial on the proposed water and sewer rate hike. Laurie Pizzo, Hernando County Business and Development Committee member wrote an opposing viewpoint to their editorial column. Both of these columns are included below for your review. I found it interesting to be able to read them together and hope you do, too. The first is from the Hernando Today, with Ms. Pizzo's letter at the bottom, including the editorial note.

Commissioners should nix water, sewer rate hikes

Hernando Today
Published: May 15, 2009
Updated: 05/15/2009 02:34 pm

The issue: The county's proposal to drastically hike water and sewer rates.
Our opinion: They've got to be kidding.

Apparently, county officials think it's business as usual on the hill in Brooksville, with no end to tax hikes and fee increases. Nevermind that nearly 13 percent of the workforce is unemployed, the economy is in the Dumpster and the county suffers from one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation.

Here's news to those who live in a bubble: Hernando Countians are hurting. On top of wanting to nearly double annual solid waste assessments, county officials now want to increase water and sewer rates by more than 30 percent during the next five years for the average homeowner.

You can almost hear the county's coffers chime cha-ching! The director of the county's utilities department presented the proposed rate increases to county commissioners during their meeting Tuesday. He lined it all out in a bunch of charts and graphs, trying to spin it as a conservation measure. Bigger water users (commercial businesses that employ people) are really going to get the shaft. Those using less water will see lower increases. (Like jumbo shrimp, isn't that an oxymoron?)

Our question: Are county officials living in La-La Land? This isn't simply a conservation measure; it's another money grab to fund bigger government and expand development at a time when nobody's building. The rate increases are expected to add about $1.6 million in new revenue for the utilities department, with the money raised going to help fund about $150 million in capital projects. The rest of the money will come from low-interest federal government bailout loans.

Plans are to pay for a $48 million expansion to the wastewater treatment plant near the Hernando County Airport; $26 million for a new treatment plant in Ridge Manor; and $22 million for a new treatment plant at The Glen, off U.S. 19 north of State Road 50.

Maybe somebody needs to inform county officials - once again - that we're in the depths of one of the deepest recessions and housing busts in Hernando County history - a double whammy. The decline of commercial construction and the loss of more jobs isn't far behind. However, all we keep hearing from county officials is they want to raise taxes and fees and spend more of the taxpayers' hard-earned money.

Here's a clue: Most Hernando County residents can't afford to pay what they're paying now. Any increase in solid waste assessments or water and sewer rates would be a slap in the face, and residents should take it personally - especially those having trouble putting food on the table. Any county commissioner who votes to increase taxes and fees in this desperate economy needs to understand the ramifications, especially considering the spending spree county officials have been on the past few years when money flowed like wine into county coffers - so much so, they couldn't find enough perks and new projects to spend it on fast enough. Perhaps that's why the county's treasure chest is bulging with $181 million in long-term investments - some tied up as many as five years - and more than $37.6 million in carry-over funds from fiscal year 2008.

Let them spend what they've already over-taxed residents for on these new projects.
And what about all the impact fee money that's been collected from the massive development of recent years? Isn't that why there's $181 million lying around earning interest? Use that money to help fund capital projects for infrastructure. Isn't that what it's for? Why should current water and sewer customers who've paid their impact fees and bills have to pay for continued construction of new and expanded water and sewer plants? It's nonsense. Until people start standing up and letting their county commissioners know how they feel about unfair tax hikes and user fee increases, they'll keep approving them.



Disagrees with editorial

Hernando Today
Published: May 20, 2009

Re: "Commissioners should nix water, sewer rate hikes" editorial in the May 15 edition of Hernando Today

I read your opinion on the topic of the proposed wastewater facilities and quite frankly I am a bit confused as to whether we watched the same county commission meeting on May 12. Building of the proposed more efficient wastewater treatment sites will actually save Hernando County Utilities customers money on their bill, particularly those who use county water and have septic. Eighty-five percent of the metered customers currently would save on their bills with the new system. Furthermore, building of these facilities has the potential of adding water reuse down the road, which is an added benefit, further adding to the forward thinking of the current BOCC - something we just are not used to seeing.

Speaking from an economic development standpoint, if we are to bring in additional large employers to the Hernando County Airport for example, it would cost that business $1.3 million just in connection fees alone for water and sewer with the current dilapidated system being used. Building a new more efficient wastewater facility will drop those fees for that employer to around $117,000.

Don't you think this is just one huge draw of many to make Hernando County competitive to bring jobs here so we aren't so reliant on the construction industry as we have been in the past? Don't we want to attract those primary industries to Hernando County so our 22,000-plus residents that drive out of the county everyday might have more options to live, work and play in Hernando County?

It is time to start thinking out of the box. These wastewater treatment facilities have been needed for a long time and, unfortunately, nothing has been done in the past to get this rolling. I applaud the current county commissioners for being proactive on this matter rather than reactive and scrambling as often times has been done in the past. The building of these wastewater treatment facilities is vital for our infrastructure for both our residential and commercial well-being. With that comes excellent quality of life which we all strive for, and I believe we can all agree on that.

Laurie Pizzo, member, Business & Economic Development Committee

Editor's note: Perhaps you didn't read the editorial carefully enough. Hernando Today is not opposed to improving our water and wastewater treatment facilities. We're against having the current ratepayers pay for the improvements. If the county wants to use part of its massive $218 million in reserves to help pay for these improvements and new plants that will benefit future residents and businesses, we're fine with that. But we're vehemently opposed to having current residents, business owners and utility users pay in advance for those who "may" move here in the future. That's what impact fees are for. These costs shouldn't be placed on the backs of those who've already paid. Also, most water/sewer users would see a 31 percent increase in their bills over the next five years. There is no savings.