Rate increase on table for fire-flow improvements

Recreation Centers of Sun City board member Warren Hoffmann continued to speak out against the Arizona American Water Co.'s proposed fire-flow improvements Monday, and he is looking for a busload of people who agree with him.

During the members exchange meeting Monday, Hoffmann and Sun City Taxpayers Association board member Bill Tijmann reminded the unusually large crowd about Wednesday's Arizona Corporation Commission meeting on the water company's proposal that would increase rates in Sun City, Youngtown and a small part of Peoria.

"We have room to bus 56 people downtown for the meeting, and we are hoping to fill every spot," Tijmann said. "The most important thing is to get as many people there as possible."

Hoffmann echoed those statements while elaborating on why the RCSC board is opposed to the changes.

"These are discretionary improvements, and we believe the water company is using this as an excuse to replace old pipes," Hoffmann said. "We are being asked to pay for improvements that we do not need. They are not necessary."

If the fire flow increase is approved, customers would see an increase on their water bills over a four-year period beginning in 2010 and running through 2013. In 2010, the increase would be 3.5 cents; in 2011, it would be 7.4 cents; in 2012, 11.4 cents; and in 2013, the increase would be 17.4 cents.

Hoffmann and board member Don Schordje have been speaking out on the subject and attending SCTA community meetings on the issue, and Schordje reiterated a statement made two weeks ago at one of those meetings.

Dan Pozefsky, an attorney for the Residential Utility Consumers Office, said two weeks ago there was power in numbers. Monday morning, Schordje urged the people to take that statement to heart.

"Even if you do not plan to speak, we ask that you please go," Schordje said. "The more people there, the more seriously they will take us."

Tijmann said anyone interested in getting a spot on the bus should call the SCTA offices.

"If we can get a crowd there as big as the group here at this meeting, we can make a big impression on them and let them know how Sun City feels about this," Tijmann said.

The SCTA offices are at 12630 N. 103rd Ave., Suite 144, just south of Grand Avenue off of 103rd Avenue. The bus will leave from the SCTA at 8:30 a.m. To reserve a spot on the bus or for more information, call 623-933-7530.