Community Corner

City Spending Board Approves 15% Water Rate Hike

After delaying their decision last week the city spending board voted to approve a 15 percent hike in city water and sewer rates.

The Board of Estimates voted 3-2 in favor of the increase during its meeting Wednesday, with Comptroller Joan Pratt and Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young voting against the increase, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake essentially controls the board’s decisions because she serves on it, and appoints its two other members Department of Public Works Director Alfred Foxx and City Solicitor George Nilson.

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The rate hike is expected to increase the average customer’s bill by $94.50.

Rawlings-Blake issued the following statement regarding her decision to vote for the rate hike:

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I do not have the luxury to vote against this increase. If there is a catastrophic water infrastructure failure or if our system breaks down, if DPW doesn’t have the financial resources to prevent or repair such an incident, that is my responsibility. If the water system doesn’t work because it doesn’t have the funding it needs, that is my responsibility.

This is one of the more difficult votes I’ve ever had to make as an elected official. Even with an economic recovery underway, many cities are still catching up to pre-recession levels. Unemployment is still too high, and our families are struggling. I understand that, and I don’t take it lightly. I’m sad and angry that, despite my best efforts, a serious, bi-partisan discussion about investing in U.S. infrastructure on a national scale hasn’t happened in Congress.

However, it is also true that crumbling infrastructure has reached a crisis point in cities across America—including Baltimore. With unfunded federal mandates, limited resources, and a system that is literally crumbling, we have no choice but to pay more to keep our system working.  The fact that the City's own independent auditor also recommended a similar increase in water rates speaks to this simple truth.

Last week, we heard comments that suggest the City takes hundreds of people’s homes for unpaid water bills. But the truth is, due to the reforms we have put in place, under my administration not a single home has been taken solely because of unpaid water bills. Not one.

In addition, we try to help people well before they fall behind. The Department of Public Works offers two programs for people who need help with their water bills. I encourage our Senior Citizens and anyone else with limited means to call 311 and ask about our Low-Income Senior Citizen Water Discount Program or our Low-Income Water Assistance Program.

Despite these safeguards—and despite the fact that our rates will still be lower than many east coast cities, including Washington, Boston, and Atlanta—any increase is a burden on our residents and that’s never a good thing. But our system is broken, failing, and in need of major repair. I just don’t have the luxury to vote no. I vote yes.

 


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