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Fees for sewage treatment in Fillmore rising
City has to pay for new plant
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More from County NewsSince Fillmore began boosting residents' utility rates earlier this year to pay for a costly new sewage-treatment plant, homeowners and renters have seen their monthly bills rise from $44 in February to $66 in July.
But for the heaviest users of the system — restaurants, retirement homes and institutions such as schools — the increase has driven monthly bills up by thousands of dollars. The bills have grown so large that big ratepayers are struggling financially.
"I have no reason to stay," said Constantin Balanos, co-owner of a Greek fast-food restaurant called Yanni's Best. He said he hopes to leave Fillmore and relocate outside the county as soon as possible.
Balanos said his monthly sewer bill was $200 or $300 three years ago. It's now risen to as high as $1,550.
Tougher state regulations
City officials are looking for ways to soften the sting of the rate increases, which are being imposed to pay for a $78 million project that includes a water recycling plant. The recycling facility must be built by September 2009 so the city can meet tougher state regulations for effluent discharged into the Santa Clara River.
Officials are researching whether it would cost less to treat sewage with the proposed plant's new technology compared to the cost incurred by the city's old technology, said Public Works Director Bert Rapp.
That could eventually lead to a redistribution of fees large customers have to pay, but cost savings may not be significant, he said.
The City Council should receive a report Oct. 23.
"Our objective is to make it equitable," Rapp said, adding several businesses have voiced concern about rising fees.
Costly new facility
Fillmore is not alone. Santa Paula is facing a similar state order to clean up its sewage-plant discharge into the river and is facing the prospect of paying for a costly new facility.
That will likely mean rate increases, but the amount isn't known. Previous estimates put the Santa Paula treatment-plant construction cost at $76 million, close to the amount Fillmore expects to spend. In July, however, the city abandoned that plan and decided to have its facility designed, built, operated and financed by one firm.
Santa Paula officials should know how much their facility will cost — and how much bills will have to rise — early next year, said Cliff Finley, director of public works.
Finley said businesses and other big ratepayers have expressed concerns about impacts fees will have.
"That's definitely something the council is considering, and trying to figure out how to really spread the sewer fees fairly," Finley said. "Everybody needs to pay their fair share and the challenge is how do you develop a fee structure to make that happen."
Artificial turf considered
For now, customers in Fillmore have begun cutting back on their water use — which the city uses to establish each customer's monthly sewer bill — to save money.
The Fillmore Unified School District, one of the largest sewage producers in the city, is looking into converting the high school's football field to artificial turf to save water, said Michael Bush, assistant superintendent of businesses services. The district also installed low-flow toilets and other water-saving devices, he said.
The monthly sewer bill for Fillmore High School — one of seven campuses the district runs — had been about $6,100 in February, and it jumped to $9,160 in July. By July 2009, the bill is projected to be about $13,600 a month.
To cover the increase, the district used money from its budget that would have gone toward books and instructional supplies, Bush said.
"I'm not happy about it, but I understand," Bush said. "I still view sewer as incidental to what we're really about, but it's taken a bigger bite of the pie."
Bill could total $30,000
The Orange Blossom, an assisted-living and residential care facility, and the Fillmore Convalescent Center are also making cost-saving efforts, said Eduardo Gonzalez, who oversees both facilities.
Gonzalez said their sewer bills totaled about $3,000 in March and have risen to about $10,000 recently. Gonzalez said he needs help, predicting that when fees rise in two years, the bill could total $30,000 a month. Paying that much, he said, "is not possible."
The City Council also budgeted about $50,000 this fiscal year to help businesses reduce their bills, Rapp said. Details are still being worked out, but large ratepayers could use funds to purchase low-flush toilets or no-flush urinals, Rapp said.
Posted by suejones on September 23, 2007 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Again this is another situation that shows that Fillmore is not business friendly and a way to keep business from coming to town.
Fillmore needs to bring in more business and jobs instead of still building houses.
Posted by ironwoman on September 23, 2007 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is ridiculous. I can't believe that the City is charging businesses this much money for sewage. Let's stop building and let's take care of the small community.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on September 27, 2007 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Its insane ! Well I'm sure we will keep our take out places since they use plastic the takes years and years to deteriorate in the land fills. BUT forget going in and sitting down in a nice place with dishes and real forks ! Cause the water to wash those plates are going to put the business's out of business!!!!! Yanni's already made it clear they wont stay. And I dont blame them. And I love that place ! IHOP will not be able to pay the bill.We will probably lose the Fillmore Cafe. They will be the next to follow . This hike is just rediculous and unfair. I really hope they come up with a solution before these business's leave.
As far as the residential bills....I would like to know how many have only had a twenty something dollar amount increase! Most I have talked to have had thiers increased by at lease double that amount!
Posted by smitty on September 27, 2007 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My bill
August 2006 - $53
August 2007 - $94
Posted by JeannetteMedrano on September 28, 2007 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"To cover the increase, the district used money from its budget that would have gone toward books and instructional supplies, Bush said."
How can the city allow this??
Posted by chipuridel on September 28, 2007 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the rate increase is outrageous!!!! Why is everyone paying the same rate when most houses have 10 to 20 people living in them compared to 2 to 4 people. I have 4 people in my house (1 of those is in diapers), my neighbors have 10 to 15 people in there house and are paying the same amount that i am. Our beautiful little town of Fillmore has really gotten bad! This sewer plant should have been built a long time ago!!! I also want to know why are we still paying for the new swimming pool on our property taxes if it isn't going to be done for another year or more? The city says they aren't using the money but they are getting interest off of it aren't they. This article also talks about the school district putting in artifical turf but i thought that was going to happen anyways when the city bought the property for the pool! They were suppose to put in the new track and field at the football stadium. My family does not plan on sticking around to find out, I just don't like Fillmore anymore!!!
Posted by AnnaWhaat on September 28, 2007 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
chip,They should be reading the meters! But apparently someone is not bathing enough in the house next door, or watering thier grass. Of course with the price of water people will probably just let thier grass die now !!! Ours went from about 60.00 to over 125.00 !!!! What the heck !!!!
People will have to now drive out of town to be able to sit down and eat off real plates ! So ,so much for the ozone layer and all..........
Posted by truck on October 13, 2007 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I live on $1,488 a month that's $17,856 a yr. & a water bill of $92.43 a month is hurting real bad.
I've noticed that there are many yards that are not cared for now like they were last year. Many homes are trying to use only the alotted amount of water ea. month like me. I can't believe this is happening to us!
Posted by doni.farner-smith on November 2, 2007 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I moved to Fillmore in 2005 and my water/sewer bill was $44 now it's $115, 3 people live at my home. I can't afford to stay but I can't afford to go either. Did any of you see the letter asking for prayers that the city council find a solution to this problem? How can they afford a swimming pool? Can't the price be passed on to the builders of these big new houses? What happened to all the little antique/junk stores? Fillmore used to be a shopping destination. Shootings, 15 people in one house, city leaders who don't even live in the city, Fillmore will dies I'm affraid.
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