PV Water-sewer Rates Increase 30% (with taxes)
Despite public comments and common sense, the mayor and council approved massive increases in our utilities. With a 7-0 vote the new rates were approved. Do you think for one moment; the Arizona Corporation Commission would have approved a 22% rate increase? The reason the Fain’s aquired Larry Tarkowski, now town Manager, to “sell” Shamrock Water Co. and making the town of Prescott Valley the municipal water provider is clear. A town can raise rates by a council vote and all the development (growth) needs can be met.
Clearly, the rate increase is to service much larger systems for growth. We are paying for “future” water consumers in our new rates. A mayor and council working for the residents would have NOT RAISED RATES to this extent.
A campaign for four “new” council members has begun. Lora Lee Nye, Mike Flannery, Bob Edwards and Fran Schumacher are running for re-election and they should all be rejected for NOT working for the people. At the Nov.16th council meeting the mayor and council verbaly dismissed the opportunity to be a part of the Verde River Basin Partnership (VRBP). The VRBP has a goal of assuring water rights are shared with all communities and habitat from the Big Chino to Phoenix. I’m sure Larry Tarkowski has convinced Mayor Skoog and the follow along council this is wrong as Prescott Valley and Prescott (with most of the population) will NOT control the results of this body. The results MIGHT say we need to slow growth to protect our current population and protect the flow of the Verde and the habitat it supports.