Open Letter to Ratepayers:
I believe that one crucial (sadly, often neglected) responsibility of being a Commissioner is that of educator. Our role as liaison between ratepayers and the District applies in both directions. A typical ratepayer tends to be largely unaware of how much effort and expense is required to deliver water and sewer services to our homes and businesses. So it is important for each Commissioner to carry a truthful message to the public, even
if it is uncomfortable or politically unpleasant. Integrity and credibility based on honesty are critical.
One of the candidates for Alderwood Water Commissioner has asserted unequivocally that the District is horribly mismanaged because of two politically charged circumstances.
1. Seattle water rates are among the highest in the nation.
2. Alderwood rates have risen 43% in recent years.
Let’s examine these assertions.
There are major difficulties to overcome when comparing rates to those in other parts of the country. Disparities in demographics, geology, geography, climate, purveyor size & scope, type of agency and climate, among others make it extremely challenging to match “apples to apples” effectively. Having said that, the American Water Works Association published a comprehensive analysis in 2010. The Survey makes apparent the difficulties associated with reconciling numerous disparities, but it does suggest that water and sewer rates in Seattle are high. The correct question to ask is: How does this information impact Alderwood ratepayers? Answer: It doesn’t. Seattle’s rates are set by Seattle. Their source water lies in King County and is driven by contractual arrangements entirely unrelated to Alderwood. Our source water is a stable supply negotiated with the City of Everett through 2055. Alderwood residential rates are significantly lower than Seattle’s. Our sewer rates are driven by a contract with King County through 2036 and are also substantially lower than Seattle. In fact a recent study comparing water and sewer rates between several nearby regional agencies demonstrated that Alderwood rates are below regional averages. So if our rates are not among the highest in our region, is it responsible to allege that we are among the nations most expensive? Emphasizing this red herring either displays an appalling lack of understanding of our water & sewer operations or it is a cynical attempt to mislead voters by fabricating a “straw man”.
Despite being the largest, most complex special purpose water and wastewater district in Washington State, Alderwood residential rates remain moderate. This is a remarkable achievement. It is true that Alderwood rates have gone up faster in recent years than inflation as measured by the CPI, but that is only part of the story. The added increase can be attributed directly to the added expense of performing yesterday’s maintenance activities at the same time as we are performing today’s activities. We are paying now in the form of higher rate increases for artificially low or totally deferred increases in the past. AWWD policy in the 1980’s and 1990’s deferred moderate rate increases by neglecting infrastructure maintenance and kept rates artificially low. This is precisely why rates have risen faster recently – we are playing ‘catch up’. Remember that old oil filter ad, “Pay me now or pay me later?” Our situation is simply this: we can pay slightly higher rates today (about $2.50/month for typical consumption or 8% of a typical single family residential monthly bill) or pay much higher rates later. Do we really want to extend this policy? The expenses do not go away. Deferring them simply postpones them. They frequently come back later as bigger – sometimes much bigger – expenditures. Isn’t it better to pay now for today’s activities rather than borrowing from our future – and our kid’s futures? Can we really afford to continue amplifying our exposure to the unpleasant effects of catastrophic failure? Can we afford to sacrifice infrastructure integrity on the altar of marginal, short term rate increase reductions? A responsible, informed assessment recognizes that AWWD rates are moderate, that recent seemingly disproportionate increases are unpleasant but necessary, and that a thoughtful, comprehensive, planned approach which balances mitigation of the risk of infrastructure failure with reasonable rates is the most effective policy. We may disagree about where that balance lies but curtailing maintenance activities arbitrarily is simply not responsible. So the higher recent increases are indicative of Board mistakes – 20 years ago! And the recent efforts are actually a return to responsible stewardship!!!
Voters face a clear choice in this election.
On one hand is an inexperienced, uninformed, one-issue candidate who fabricates cynical, irrelevant concerns and who misrepresents the facts in order to achieve his goal, to get elected. Virtually every element of his ‘plan’ has either already been undertaken by the District or is in the works or ongoing.
Contrast that with my well-chronicled service to ratepayers. I have made demonstrable contributions to improving or enhancing District performance. I have frequently brought a sensible, effective perspective to bear on a wide range of topics. I spearheaded our District-wide Strategic Planning Initiative. The Plan has illuminated numerous opportunities for real cost savings through improved efficiency and enhanced
effectiveness, and will continue to do so for many years. Unlike the challenger’s ‘plan’, my Plan is well documented and being implemented. I insisted that all options were evaluated during a Sewer Comp Plan review. And the Citizens Alliance for Property Rights, a leading property rights advocacy organization recently awarded me an ‘Outstanding’ rating. For more information on AWWD and my contributions to our
success, please go to: www.electlarey.org.
It appears that the best choice is obvious. Vote for Laren W. “Larey” McLaren for Alderwood Water & Wastewater District, Commissioner Position 3.
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