Water and Sewer Rates: The untold truth.

By Marty P. Medina

The incumbents won't tell you why water and sewer rates are increasing so much.

My name is Marty Medina, and I am running for the San Bruno City Council. Like most San Bruno residents, I received my water, sewer and garbage bill last month: $232.63 for two adults and my one year old son. I wasn't too surprised because I knew it was coming. The City Council voted on May 8, 2012, to increase water and sewer rates by an average of approximately 10% for five consecutive years. I protested the rate increases as well as over 360 other property owners. The vote was 3-2. If only there was one more vote... We are only in year two... another 30% of increases is still coming.

As I campaign, I hear more and more people explain their difficulty in paying their water and sewer bills. Those hurt especially hard are the seniors on a fixed income. I am repeatedly asked, "Why are the rates so high?" The answer is, the San Bruno City Council. The following words are from the San Bruno City Council Home Website, "San Bruno is governed by the City Council and operates under a Council-Manager form of government. As the policy making body, it has the ultimate responsibility to the people of San Bruno and the implementation of all programs and City services. It approves all ordinances, resolutions, and major contracts, modifies and approves the budget..."

Why so much? Because they failed to properly manage the utility system. According to San Bruno Patch reporter, Martin Ricard, in July 2011, San Bruno paid $642,167 in fines and $271,000 in fees for failing to comply with the California Regional Water Board's Cease and Desist Order.

At the San Bruno City Council Meeting on August 27, 2013, I asked why San Bruno has written off a total of $308,802 in sewer bills from 2008 to 2012, and how much was being written off in water. I received an answer on September 16, 2013, $344,216 in water was written off from 2008 to 2012, for a combined total of $653,018. The total of the fines&fees plus the write offs is $1,566,185. Higher than the one year sewer increase for everyone in San Bruno! This is absolutely irresponsible!!

This past July the City Council approved another 10% garbage rate increase. They can never spend enough of OUR money to fix the problem. The current council members up for re-election have been in office since 1996 and 2005; that is enough time to plan, organize, implement, and manage San Bruno's infrastructure. WE cannot afford more of their leadership and management. WE need someone with first-hand knowledge of how to improve our infrastructure. Someone with construction experience that understands how water and sewer systems operate.

I do. I was a San Bruno Public Works Inspector for 11 years, and I've seen repetitive, costly mistakes in design and contract management. I know WE can do better and as your new council member I will improve our infrastructure while reducing costs. This year I completed my Construction Management Certificate from UC Berkeley Extension and I have the experience to make immediate improvements. It's what I do everyday. I now work for the Alameda County Water District where we serve over 331,000 people in Fremont, Union City, and Newark. San Bruno doesn't have to reinvent the wheel. We can utilize proven and effective methods used by other utility providers. On my website listed below, I've posted additional facts and details regarding my plan to reduce utility rates and other important issues facing our community.

When elected I will propose to suspend the water and sewer rate increases and open up the garbage collection contract to competitors. WE have to do things differently and WE can, but to do so I need your vote.

For more information please contact me at sanbrunotruth@gmail.com, phone (650) 741-1055, or my website http://martymedinaforsanbrunocitycouncil2013.com or San Bruno Patch Blog http://sanbruno.patch.com/blogs/running-for-san-bruno-city-council-by-marty-medina

WE can do better! I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for your consideration.

Marty Medina