Results from Study of 10% Water Tax Released

The City of Fullerton has released the findings of a study that looked at transfers of funds from the Water Fund to the General Fund.  In simple terms, this is the City's justification for skimming water revenue and using it for non-water related activities.

The study focused on the last three (3) years because legal counsel identified a three-year window of liability.

Here is the City's internal memo (click image to read):

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The memo notes that over the last three years water ratepayers have overpaid $2.5-million. 

If you can accept the premise* of the report then the next logical question is what to do with the over payment.  This question will be the focus of the Water Rate Ad Hoc Committee over then next several weeks.

*The bulk of the $5-million that the City would like to retain is being justified as rent for the water system's use of City-owned properties and is payable to the City's General Fund.

This latest study of the franchise fee will be the topic of conversation at Monday's Water Rate Ad Hoc Committee meeting at the Main Branch Library at 6PM.