It would seem we already upgraded the wastewater treatment plant, spending $11 million between 2016 and 2020. Now we need another $10 million in upgrades?
The people have pushed this issue to referendum twice, about five years ago and again March 19. Why bother doing it again when the T or C City Commission turns around and does it again, ignoring the people's will and election results?
Could the Sierra County Commission be pushing for a second flood-control taxing district because Jones stopped them from using the current pot of flood-control tax money on road equipment and employee salaries and benefits? So we might have to pay two sets of taxes for flood control?
Let's examine the Sierra County Commission's supposed reasons for wanting a flood district in addition to having a flood commissioner. It doesn't add up, it doesn't ring true, it doesn't pass the smell test.
The city commission blithely and without question accepted a $7.8 million estimate to not fix Cantrell Dam, but to "breach" it, as well as to increase downstream channel capacity. Two years ago the estimate was $1.7 million.
This idea of a flood control district is being rushed through with no public discussion by the Sierra County Commission. Will you vote for it in November? And who's running to be a flood-control director? Favorites with county commissioners? Who else would know to run?
Truth or Consequences has provided insufficient water pressure to the hospital, elementary schools and the vets home. What other businesses or facilities are suffering? The hospital and vets home paid for and fixed the problem on their own. Your public funds at work--double time.
Emergency waterline repairs needed south of the hospital and radiating out from Veater Street are a year away. Final design and going out to bid will take that long. The fix will replace 17 percent of the city's water pipes.
It's a good thing students are on summer break. The fancy new roundabouts and the city's required relocation of its water and sewer pipes may be the source of pressure problems, or it could be that cluster of leaks resulting from the massive water leak on Arrowhead Street.
Oh for reality-based leadership instead of hunkydoryism. Elected officials bought too much new hospital, evidently expecting more people would move here and pay more in property taxes and gross receipts taxes--the revenue sources expected to pay off the loan. It wasn't enough then and it isn't enough now.
The Sierra County Commission is trying to get the question of a flood control taxing district on the Nov. 5 ballot without telling the people it is a taxing district.
The city kept good books and kept spending down last fiscal year, according to the audit, which recently became public. Audit results are usually released in February, about eight months after the fiscal year ends. Blame the Housing Authority for the lateness of this audit.