GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Last week Gridley City Council finished up a series of 4 public meetings wherein they took a close look at the 2020-2021 budget for city departments, including the general fund and enterprise funds, heard reports from department directors and City Administrator Paul Eckert.

Meeting agendas and detailed reports presented to council were posted online at the City’s website, in an ongoing effort to maintain transparency for the public, but the Gridley community found some of the proposed rate increases and new fees problematic.

Among the chief concerns of the community were increases to water and sewer rates, along with rate increases for the Feather Flyer and new fees for leaving garbage cans out in public streets for excessive periods or yard sale signs not being removed. Most public outcry centered around the lower income residents’ strained financial states due to the COVID-19 crisis and how increased fees would further jeopardize their personal economic recovery.

Among the suggested rate increases were sewer base rates for single family residential homes set at $41.76, electric base rates at $17.70 (up from $15.00) and water base rates up to 1 meter at $29.49 (up from $24.49) with a commodity charge of $1.32. Council reviewed information compiled by Eckert, comparing neighboring municipalities’ rates for the same services, including rates from Live Oak, Oroville, Chico.  Eckert assured council and community members in attendance that even with these new increases, Gridley’s rates would remain some of the lowest in the state. 

Council took the time to hear concerns of Gridley residents who spoke at the meeting, along with written submissions, reminding the public that General Fund could not be used towards enterprise funds (sewer, electric, water) and that a lack of increase in charges (some service rates have not been raised in years) could jeopardize the city’s chances at much needed grant moneys crucial for future projects. Rate increases, especially in the sewer rates and water, would provide for financial stability for those funds in case of disaster, need of emergency repair, and large projects to maintain functionality such as the replacement of the antiquated sewer main that funnels the city’s waste across the Feather River – a project forecasted to cost $10 million or more.

Ultimately, Council passed the resolution 2020-R-007 establishing the appropriation limits of the City of Gridley, approved the amendment of the Gridley Master Fee Schedule with the exception of transit, code enforcement fees and sewer/water rate increases until later this year (postponed until October or November for further review and additional community feedback), and passed the budget for the fiscal year 2020-2021.