Our city leaders sure are in touch with it's residents. Of course everyone can afford a double digit rate increase! Janesville is just about the most prosperous city in all the land!

From a more realistic approach, I suppose that going back to the old rate structure that doesn't punish folks for using more water thereby increasing consumption and revenue could be considered? They claim they need this increase due to the drop in water demand and revenue from the GM plant. How can they claim that and still have intentionally and voluntarily set up rates that punish consumption? If the PSC really has the public's interest at heart, they should refuse the water utility's request and revoke their permission to use this absurd consumption punitive rate structure. Not that I think that's likely to happen.

not NO but HELL NO

Just read the article in the print version.
The utility wants to rise the rate to pay itself a 5.35 percent return on its investment in a botched development that went bankrupt. Whoever approved the infrastructure upgrades without guarantees should have to answer. But instead of taking the loss, they want to get a 5.35 percent return? How do I get in on some of that action?

Paying for the new garbage trucks that are not needed in Janesville, hmm could be ?

Combine yet another water rate hike with yet another drought-stricken summer, and Janesville will be the dead-lawn capital of the country.

reckramer - I would buy your argument against Walker if there was proof it was just him causing this issue. But unfortunately if you go a few miles south you will find a state that has doubled-tripled every fee/tax they have and they still don't know how to keep the state afloat! I'm not taking Walker's side but blaming this on him is a little far fetched!

carlitosway, not surprised Utilities are out of control. the last place I lived it didn't matter if I used 0 gallons of water or 3999 gallons, I averaged 1000 a month, ridiculous. Only a utility can get away with a 21% increase. Let's see Woodmans try that or Fagan.

As to cost They already have a set rate My Mom and stepdad For one quarter took their laundry to laundry mat and and took less baths/showers drank bottled water and there was NO DIFFERENCE

Comparison of water rates in Rock County: http://psc.wi.gov/apps40/waterbill/conte...

"If the Public Service Commission acts on the rate request this month, the utility would implement the increase Jan. 1, when rate changes for garbage collection, wastewater and storm water fees also will change."
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Boy, thank God Scooter is keeping taxes so low, I much prefer being nickel and dimed to death with fees, I mean, it's so much different paying twice the fees for everything. From wheel taxes for having the privilege of parking my car in my own driveway to water rates for being able to turn on the faucet.

so water isn't free anymore...the system was outdated and has been undergoing repairs/improvements for a few years now...and with the mega dairy sitting over the east end of the aquifer, the rates will go up in the future when they have to install more equipment to mix the high nitrogen water with the low/no-nitrogen water so it is safe for drinking...with the new rate structure, the more you use the more you'll pay, so it's time to conserve your water resources and stop whining about it...

Since the precipitating event here was the closure of GM in 2008, and the loss of that industrial usage (and revenue), it would have been nice if the city could have structured this increase to take place over several years.

With out the rate increase they would earn less than 1% on it's infrastructure investment, with they would earn 5.35%.

Who do I get to charge if I don't get the return I wanted on my new toilet and shower head I installed over the weekend????

Sigma?
Drinking so early?
Shame!

Bah! Humbug!!

I got an idea.... Janesville shuld invest some more tax money into more parks. maybe the empty lots in between the interstate and the on/off ramps... we could call them circle parks. I think this should be a citywide main priority.

Sure we can talk about 21% when my income equals the 21% that your asking for or otherwise no DAM way. Our fearless leaders in Janesville had better learn to work with in their means just like the rest of us have other wise forget it. I don't know about anyone else but I for one can't afford to pay anymore taxes and I doubt no one else can either.

I did two large rain barrels this year. Works great. Need to put them up higher off the groung though so I can hook up the hose and it will flow well. Would have worked better if it rained more though.

I guess it's time to put plastic barrels under the eve's to catch rain water for the garden. Time to cut down on showers too. I guess every 2 days is to much.

WTH?

I just spoke with the clerk. The meeting is at 10:00 am tomorrow morning. I encourage everyone to call or e-mail the city council members on this since they have made it impossible for working people to voice their opinions.

VERY WELL SAID jocose
I agree totally.

Are so many buying bottled water due to the poor quality of city water? Will the 21% increase in cost equate to a 21% increase in water quality?

Are they raising rates because so many buy bottled water?

As soon as I get a 21% pay raise, they can talk about a 21% rate increase.

My water bill already went up with a 'garbage collection' fee. Maybe they could add their 21% to my driver's license renewal as a 'car wash' fee.

Yeah and the residents want new cars to replace their old rusted out unreliable weed-beaters, new clothes to replace their moth-eaten 15-35 year old wardrobes, new appliances to replace their ancient, inefficient leaky old ones, new furnaces, sidewalks, money for a couple of kids in college, new furniture that doesn't have springs poking you, prescriptions, medical expenses- and the list goes on and on... But you know what? We simply can't afford it even though I'm collecting a pension and working 2 part-time jobs with a college degree. And yes I have applications in all over the state- but apparently I am too old. How about getting rid of the attitude that you can get whatever you want and have somebody else pay for it. Janesville is becoming a city that we can no longer afford to live in. And last time I checked, our house has depreciated over $100K. So I really can't afford to sell at this time. Merry Christmas.

Maybe with the 21% they will update and get out of the 50's and actually accept modern day standard ways of payments. Its a pain to pay the water bill when they dont accept debit/credit cards. As far as the rate....its already high enough, if they cant manage the money they have we need new people appointed to do so.. Get rid of the antique unacountable people that work there.