Anyone for higher taxes? Not I, which is why folks, after seeing a legal notice that the Board of Supervisors was holding a hearing on June 26th to discuss adoption of storm water utility assessments for fiscal 2012-13, I sent a letter to the Board stating that I opposed any increase in fees.

I was concerned that, since taxpayers voted down the Clean Water Fee, the Board might increase the storm water fees. I thought I saw a nexus being that it was the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District who proposed imposition of the Clean Water Fee (the failed election cost approximately $526,5500) but apparently, from the reply I received from Tim Jensen, Senior Civil Engineer of the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, there isn’t one.

The good news is that Mr. Jenson informed me that the $25 per year assessment for Antioch will not be increased as all participating cities, towns and the unincorporated county reached their maximum assessed rate in 2008 and there is no proposal or any mechanism in the County or city codes to increase the amount. (So why hold a hearing to discuss adoption for storm water utility assessment for fiscal 2012-13 if no changes were proposed?)

The rest of the news is bad: The Delta Diablo Sanitation District board once again approved another rate increase – this one 7.6% which is outrageous. Antioch Mayor Jim Davis cast the only vote AGAINST the hike – thanks Jim!

Of course, we all know that the Consolidated Fire District and Antioch Unified School District will be asking for more money but my jaw dropped when I heard that the Antioch City Council was considering asking voters to consider a tax for city services on a future ballot.

I can’t wait for the next election!

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 28th, 2012 at 11:02 am and is filed under Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.