Rohnert Park sewer rate rollback, Measure L, 2008
From Ballotpedia
The Rohnert Park sewer rate rollback, Measure L was on the November 4, 2008 ballot in Sonoma County, California for voters in the city of Rohnert Park.
The objective of those who collected signatures to put the measure on the ballot was to save Rohnert Park households about $20 a month in taxes and fees by rolling back sewer rates to 2006 levels. The sewer rate was $60.85 a month for a home discharging 5,500 gallons a month. Under Measure L, it is reduced to $42.13.
Voters were asked:
- "Shall the ordinance to reduce City of Rohnert Park's current sewer service rates to rates in effect on January 1, 2006, be adopted?"
- Measure L was approved with 52.8% of the vote.
- Opponents of Measure L said after the election they may take Measure L to court on the grounds that "We frankly feel only the judicial system is equipped to deal with the question of whether voters can roll back rates to where the levels are less than the cost of operating the system", according to Dan Schwarz, Rohnert Park's interim city manager.
About the sewer fee
Rohnert Park collects $11.8 million a year in sewer fees. Its largest expense is $7.5 million to Santa Rosa for wastewater treatment and for a share of the cost of The Geysers pipeline.
The sewer rates also generate $1 million to the city to cover administration costs and $815,000 a year for the repayment of $13 million in bonds.
Supporters of Measure L
Measure L was supported by the Rohnert Park Utility Consumers Coalition. According to the group's website:
- "This organization was formed in the Summer of 2008. Its initial task is to promote the passage of the sewer rate roll back measure that has qualified for the November 2008 in Rohnert Park. The reason for the measure is that it is the official policy of the City of Rohnert Park to include the cost of expanding the sewer system in sewer user fees charged to existing ratepayers. Only developers need an expanded sewer system."
Opponents of Measure L
Protect Rohnert Park was the group formed to oppose L. The campaign sent out mailers to residents of Rohnert Park urging them to vote "no" on the grounds that unless L was defeated, the city would be "on the road to Bankruptcy."
"Protect Rohnert Park" received at least $40,000 in donations. The two major donors were:
- Codding Enterprises, Inc., a real estate development company, $20,000.
- Rohnert Park Disposal, $20,000.
External links
- Election results for Measure L
- Rohnert Park Utility Consumers Coalition, supporters of Measure L.
- Measure L on Smart Voter
- No on Measure L, an editorial in the Press Democrat]
- Rohnert Park measure could face court challenge
