Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Sprinklers spray a lush green yard on Sunset Canyon Drive in Burbank March 2011
Last Wednesday, March 30, Governor Jerry Brown declared the state drought over, done, finished — a total wrap. After nearly three years of being in drought mode, Governor signed a proclamation ending it.
Brown’s announcement followed the fourth snow survey of the season, conducted by the Department of Water Resources (DWR), which found that water content in California’s mountain snowpack is 165 percent of the April 1 full season average… according to the Governor’s website.
Despite the good news, Brown urged residents to continue to conserve: ““While this season’s storms have lifted us out of the drought, it’s critical that Californians continue to watch their water use,” Brown said. “Drought or no drought, demand for water in California always outstrips supply. Continued conservation is key.”
Could that mean no water hike for Burbankers this year? Don’t bet on it. Someone has to pay for the pet projects and those hefty raises for executives in the Burbank Water and Power. Hopefully, fewer Burbank residents will have to let their lawns go dry up and go brown during the hot summer months. A decision that depends more on city water rates than the governor’s proclamation.
More on the end of the drought and the governor’s remarks here.
BWP has already proposed another Water Rate increase of about 8.4% in June to go along with last years 13.5% increase. Don’t forget the City handed out big pay raises for BWP Exec’s (21% for GM Ron Davis over 3 years) just weeks after jacking up our rates last year. Also going up in June is Garbage +8% & Sewer Charges +4%. People need to write letters to the Council now opposing the BWP Rate increases (CityCouncil@ci.burbank.ca.us) and then show up for the June Public Hearing. And don’t forget you’ll be paying more Utility Users Taxes if Measure U passes also as they’ll be able to tax more electronic communications (cell phones, VOIP etc.). Here’s some links FYI on the UUT:
http://iluvburbank.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/408/
http://bluffhype.com/blog/2011/03/31/this-is-a-measure-u-dont-want-to-vote-for/#more-692
http://semichorus.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/its-not-modernization-its-extension/
It’s pretty amazing that the officials at Burbank Water and Power are going to try to jack up our rates again during these tough economic times.
The BWP is owned by the citizens and I have met very few who support these rate hikes — and none who support those big raises for the BWP honchos.
Also, the more I hear about Measure U –the more it sounds like something voters should reject.