By Bill O'Neil
Water bills will be going up in San Antonio--after City Council approved an 8.4% rate increase sought by SAWS. Utility officials again made their case ahead of Thursday's vote--claiming the additional cash is needed to address an aging infrastructure--with a focus on reducing sewer spills to meet Environmental Protection Agency requirements.
Utility officials also promised the Council they would do better as a business moving forward.
"We will be focusing on rising to that next level of efficiency during 2013" said Board Chairman "Berto" Guerra. For several Council Members--such promises immediately fell flat.
"I do not at this point have confidence it (improvements) will be done effectively and efficiently" said Councilman Reed Williams. Councilman Diego Bernal was also left feeling frustrated.
"I do think a lot of what we're dealing with falls squarely on SAWS--and for that, I see no accountability" Bernal said.
Utility officials also promised the Council they would do better as a business moving forward.
"We will be focusing on rising to that next level of efficiency during 2013" said Board Chairman "Berto" Guerra. For several Council Members--such promises immediately fell flat.
"I do not at this point have confidence it (improvements) will be done effectively and efficiently" said Councilman Reed Williams. Councilman Diego Bernal was also left feeling frustrated.
"I do think a lot of what we're dealing with falls squarely on SAWS--and for that, I see no accountability" Bernal said.
An effort to limit the rate increase to just the cost of capital improvements was defeated by the Council--which heard what was at times emotional comment from the public ahead of the vote.
"Will this Council again make another mistake, and vote for a rate increase on the very people that can't afford it" one woman asked--while one man voiced his own frustration.
"We have thrown all of the money that we can afford--and not afford--as San Antonio citizens at this problem" he said.
"We have thrown all of the money that we can afford--and not afford--as San Antonio citizens at this problem" he said.
