Proposed Sewer Rate Increases

Shared challenges of being newly unemployed and urged the creation of low-income residential utility assistance programs.

Spoke about cumulative cost increases on housing providers and tenants, asking the council to explore financing options.

Expressed serious concerns on behalf of Enloe Medical Center regarding the scale of proposed sewer rate increases for commercial users.

Spoke on behalf of the Chico Chamber of Commerce urging the city to slow down the sewer rate adoption process.

Expressed concerns from the Chico Builders Association regarding the aggressive sewer fee increase option chosen.

Read a letter opposing the projected 200% sewer rate increase over five years as an inequitable burden on working families.

Shared personal experience experiencing homelessness and proposed housing-first solutions inspired by international models.

Highlighted business community concerns regarding the timing and scale of sewer fee increases and offered chamber collaboration.

Questioned the rapid timeline of the sewer rate hike compared to past ballot measures and asked for a detailed project list.

Discussed limitations of the Proposition 218 protest process for renters and urged phasing in rate increases.

Questioned the need for additional utility fee increases given existing sales taxes and recent downtown business closures.

Requested council reconsideration of the sewer rate vote on behalf of property owners, noting tenant cost pass-throughs.

Requested reconsideration of sewer rate hikes, noting the compounding pressure on rental property owners and tenants.

Protested the sewer rate increase as a small property owner striving to maintain affordable housing.