The blog has not been too favorable to Council Member Parish, but it is only fair to give credit where credit is due.
I listened & watched the video of the April 16 meeting. Consent agenda item E. Resolution No. (R)08 - 27 Providing Notice of Intent to Increase Water Rates, Fees and Charges for the Oro Valley Water Utility was "pulled" by Mr. Parish.
Rather than agree another rate increase was required, after lengthy discussion and a presentation by Phil Saletta, the town’s water utility director, a motion by Mr. Parish to continue this item with the possibility of adding additional tiers for water consumption was passed.
Keeping in mind, this item was only a "notice of intent" to have a rate increase, it was good to see the council agree that gathering additional information was the prudent thing to do.
It has been brought to my attention that perhaps Mr. Parish doesn't deserve as much credit as I gave him. It seems that the Water Utility requires a rate increase, at least to some extent, as a result of the Council's previous action to allow the home builders a five year phase-in period for water impact fees lobbied the Council for the 5 year phase-in, rather no phase-in and Parish was all for this.
If this 5 year phase-in was not approved this proposed increase may not be necessary. Might this be another example of an action with "unintended consequences?" Our readers can decide.
