Pass: 9358 / 58.3% Yes votes ...... 6706 / 41.7% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

The Low Income Water and Wastewater Discount Initiative proposes to continue the existing discount programs established by Ordinance 1750 and Resolution 2004-158, both adopted August 4, 2004. These programs are currently funded by water and wastewater rates and provide a 20 percent discount to low income residents and a 10 percent discount to seniors who are on a fixed income. Because the programs already exist and the Initiative proposes to continue them, the Initiative would not result in a rate increase.

The Initiative does make one change from the existing programs. That change is establishing a cap on the total revenue available to fund the discounts of 2% of revenue of the water and wastewater funds. At present revenue levels, this would equal $164,630 in wastewater and $164,734 in water.

Low Income Discounts for Water & Sewer Services

There is no economic benefit or reason to support the Low Income Discount Measure except that it is the right thing to do. We have in our community people that need financial assistance.

Unfortunately, our utility bills have increased and are a burden on low-income residents. The City currently has in place a Low-Income Discount program, which provides relief to approximately 2000 eligible Lodi households. Recent California legislation requires voters to affirm the discount program in order for cities to continue it. A "yes" vote on this ballot measure maintains the program without increasing current water or sewer rates; the discount is presently built into rates. If this ballot measure fails the discount will be discontinued.

Voting in favor of Measure "J" gives Lodians an opportunity to provide beneficial assistance for the less fortunate and needy in Lodi. The cost to most citizen ratepayers is measured in a few cents per day, less than one-dollar per month for a three-bedroom, two-bath home. However, the benefit to those who receive this discount may be as much as ten-dollars a month.

For an individual struggling to survive on Social Security it can be the difference between a meal and medicine or an unbearably hot July day/night and some degree of relief. To qualify for the program, a couple must make less than $22,000 annually and must re-qualify every three-years, so the discount is not a lifetime benefit.

Most of us grumble about our utility bill, but pay it and at the end of the day we manage to get by. But to some, paying their utility bill requires great sacrifice or worse yet, going without basic necessities. Vote yes on Measure "J" because it is the right thing to do.

Submitted by:

/s/ Susan Hitchcock, Mayor, City of Lodi /s/ Larry D. Hansen, Lodi City Council /s/ Mark D. Price, Senior Pastor,

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Lodi

The Argument in Favor of Measure "J" says it is the right thing to do.

Helping the poor in our community IS the right thing to do. As a Christian I know it is my duty to help the poor and I do that.

But Measure "J" is not about whether or not we should help the poor. Measure "J" is about WHO should help the poor. Measure "J" promotes a system where the poor rely on government for assistance. In this system government must continually spend more money to meet the needs of an ever growing class of people who need assistance. The government continues to raise taxes, fees and rates in order to continue the flow of money to the poor. When the taxes, fees and rates increase those who give regularly to the poor have less money available to do so and so the needs of the poor grow more and thus government increases the taxes, fees and rates to meet the need. It is a vicious cycle with no end.

The right thing to do is for us to take care of our neighbor in need. Will that care come from you and your friends at the Salvation Army, the Loel Center, the Concilio, and your local church, or from a faceless government bureaucracy? Make a donation today and start making a difference. And vote NO on Measure "J".

Submitted by:

/s/ John Beckman,

Council Member

This November the voters of Lodi have a rare opportunity to decide who should take care of our poor, the Government or individual citizens.

The City of Lodi has established water and sewer rates at a rate that is higher than it needs to be. The current rate was set slightly higher for most citizens so that some residents can have lower rates. The City is conducting charity on your behalf.

But, before you cast your vote on Measure J ask yourself, are you willing to assist the low-income members of our community with your own charitable dollars? If you answer yes then vote NO on Measure J. But if you vote NO on Measure J, then get out your checkbook and begin writing monthly checks to a local charity. The poor in Lodi must be taken care of. If you will not do it yourself then the City of Lodi will do it for you.

If you prefer the Nanny State, if you like your government to raise fees, rates and taxes each year so that more of the poor can be taken care of with more government programs, then vote yes on Measure J.

The gift of charity should come freely from a caring and considerate person. Gifts of public money like the low-income discount create a sense of entitlement. They deprive both the recipient and the donator of the joy that is true charity.

I ask you to do the right think on November 7, 2006. Make a decision to help the poor and needy of Lodi. Make a decision to donate regularly to the local charity of your choice. Make a decision to help your fellow citizens with your own money and stop allowing the Government to do it for you. Vote NO on Measure J.

Submitted by:

/s/ John Beckman,

Council Member

If we lived in a perfect world there would be no poor in Lodi or any place else. As the opponent of Measure "J" agrees the poor in Lodi must be taken care of. The cost of the ballot proposition before the voters is less than $1.00 per month for a three-bedroom, two-bath home.

The opponent of the proposition is suggesting a check be written to charity to provide the necessary assistance to offset the monthly support provided through the Low-Income Discount program. This is impractical. To what charity would one write the check? How much? Who would administer the program? Who would screen for eligibility? Who would see the money goes for rate reduction?

The City is in the most efficient position to administer the existing Low-Income Discount program. The eligibility screening is done under a State mandated program. The money goes where it is supposed to go and is easily collected.

The low-income discount does not undermine the need to make charitable contributions. Quite the contrary! Charitable contributions should be made with a generous heart and citizens are encouraged to continue current giving practices.

The right thing to do is continue the existing Low-Income Discount program to provide a reduced water/waste water bill to citizens living at the poverty level. Measure "J" will not increase rates for anyone. Vote "Yes" on Measure "J."

Submitted by:

/s/ Susan Hitchcock, Mayor, City of Lodi /s/ Larry D. Hansen, Council Member /s/ JoAnne Mounce, Council Member /s/ Mark D. Price, Pastor,

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Lodi

EXHIBIT A

RESOLUTION NO. 2006-130

A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL ESTABLISHING LOW-INCOME DISCOUNTS FOR WATER AND SEWER SERVICES

WHEREAS, with the implementation of new water, sewer, and refuse rates and charges adopted April 27, 2004, the Lodi City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1750 amending Lodi Municipal Code Chapter 13.04, §13.04.130, "Low-Income Adjustments," at its September 15, 2004, City Council meeting; and

WHEREAS, the City Council now desires to adopt a resolution establishing Water and Sewer Services discounts for eligible low-income residents, and further desires to place the Measure on the November 2006 ballot for citizen approval.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND ORDERED that the Lodi City Council does hereby approve and establish low-income discounts for water and sewer services as shown below, which shall become effective the first billing period following the effective date of this Resolution:

For Residential Customers who qualify for the Electric SHARE Program discount: Water 20% Discount on the Residential Flat Rate Wastewater 20% Discount on the Residential Flat Rate

for Disposal to the Domestic System

OR,

For Residential Customers who qualify for the Electric Senior/Fixed+Income discount: Water 10% Discount on the Residential Flat Rate Wastewater 10% Discount on the Residential Flat Rate

for Disposal to the Domestic System

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the water and wastewater discounts shall be funded by the ratepayers, collected with utility bills; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the programs will be limited to two percent (2%) of the revenue of each utility. At current revenue levels, this equals $164,234.00 in the water utility and $164,630.00 per year in wastewater; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council does hereby direct staff to institute a verification program whereby every three years, 10% of one third (1/3) of the applicants' eligibility is re-confirmed; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Measure shall be placed on the November 7, 2006, Ballot for citizen approval.

Dated: July 5, 2006

I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2006-130 was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Lodi at its regular meeting held July 5, 2006, by the following vote:

AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS + Beckman, Hansen, and

Mayor Hitchcock

JENNIFER M. PERRIN
City Clerk