From: Amy Lyman
Sent: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 9:55 AM
To: Laura Sparks <[email protected]>
Subject: Proposed rate increases
Hello
I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed water/sewer rate increases without active and aggressive exploration of ways to reduce the current and future cost of these services as part of any proposal to change the rates. The proposal put forward by Cotati seems to be similar to ones being put forward by many local communities who perhaps all conducted the exact same water and sewer rate study or received the same report from an outside consultant.
In the materials sent out I did not see any information that would enable water and sewer customers to have more control over changes to their rates through conservation, increased efficiency of water using appliances including toilets, washing machines, dishwashers, showers and outside watering systems. Nor is there information that would encourage conservation in general. I recognize that Cotati is doing a lot to promote conservation yet linking it directly to control over water and sewer rate increases would be beneficial.
The other immense cost to Cotati and other communities affecting water and sewer expenses is PG&E's continuing rate increases, which get passed on to everyone in added costs not only for individual electric bills but through all the costs attached to city services like sewer and water. I think there needs to be aggressive push back on PG&Es proposed rate hikes that get embedded in other expenses paid for by community members. PG&Es profits are outrageous as are the salaries and bonuses paid to their CEO and senior executives. Their goal of providing shareholders with an 11% rate of return that was included in their last rate hike increase is obscene.
Thank you for considering these concerns.
Amy Lyman
Cotati