Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Wasco public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
11 issues in water utilities
Wastewater/Stormwater Engineering Agreement
The city closed out a $125,000 state Community Development Block Grant that paid for updating the wastewater master plan — a 25-year look at the city's sewer collection and treatment systems that helps prioritize repairs and upgrades.
New water wells and Central Avenue beautification
The $5 million downtown Phase 2 project is awaiting its federal agreement. Council Member Reyna asked that Phase 2 landscaping favor evergreen plantings, since the dry ornamental grasses from Phase 1 draw frequent complaints.
Data centers and Wasco's water supply
Mayor Pro Tem Reyna asked staff to put data centers on a future agenda, worried they'd strain Wasco's limited water. Staff is already researching it.
Water SCADA system upgrade
Reyna flagged hackers targeting water systems nationwide, including a Bakersfield-area Calwater breach; the council agreed to review Wasco's protections in a separate session rather than open session.
Citywide phone system replacement
The city is swapping its 20-year-old MITEL phone system — hard to repair and failing more often — for a cloud-based GoTo Connect system citywide, at no more than $21,600. That means four-digit dialing between departments and free desk phones.
Low Water Pressure and Sediment Complaints
Council members raised resident complaints about low water pressure and sand at the tap; staff said no complaints reached them and daily SCADA checks show no issues, and the city will encourage residents to report problems.
Prison garbage contract renewal
The city renewed its 30-plus-year garbage service contract with Wasco State Prison — steady revenue for the sanitation department with terms that protect the city this time around.
Water subsidy program audit
The $60,000 senior water subsidy has been oversubscribed — more people are on it than budgeted. Finance staff will audit participation and require re-qualification, which may mean some current recipients lose the discount but keeps the program solvent.
Solar Farm Repairs
Thieves cut through two fences at the city's solar farm twice, going after copper wiring. Repairs will cost up to $30,000 (the inverters are under warranty but labor isn't), and the city is losing the power those panels would have produced.
Smart water meter (AMI) feasibility study
The city will spend up to $50,000 studying smart meters that read remotely, detect leaks, and could recover the estimated 15% of water lost to inaccurate meters and leaks — potentially affecting future water bills.
Well #12 1,2,3-TCP water treatment project
The city locked in a $3.9 million contract to install Well #12 with treatment for 1,2,3-TCP contamination, keeping the clean-water project on track with total cost capped at $4.5 million.