Rate increases go into effect next week for customers of Tacoma Water. For most residential customers, the impact will be relatively minimal, a few extra dollars each month.
The situation for Metro Parks is much more of a concern. Its bill is slated to increase by about $20,000 a year. While some may feel that is not a huge amount for a government agency to absorb, the park district has been feeling the cumulative effect of rates that have increased by double digits in recent years.
Because of the downturn in the economy, Metro Parks is seeing its revenue from local taxes decreasing. It has had to shut down Point Defiance Zoo to the public for two days a week for January and February as one cost-cutting move. Late last year it began a process to considerably reduce the number of employees on its payroll.
It faces new expenses it is not fully prepared for. Ball fields at several parks were recently damaged by people who snuck into parks and tore up newly planted grass with their vehicles during late-night joyrides. The fields will not be available for use by teams in the spring sports season. Metro Parks needs to come up with the money to install new turf.
Just this week Metro Parks Commission was briefed on a new federal law that went into effect last month. It will require replacing drains in all of its swimming and wading pools. The current cost estimate is at least $200,000.
During budget sessions last fall, Metro Parks managed to save, for now, an activity program for pre-school aged children. Victoria Woodards, president of the commission, is fond of saying that the park system saved a pre-school program for $10,000.
That is why an additional hit of $40,000 for water during the 2009-10 budget cycle is such a problem. The rate increase has been determined for this year, but Tacoma City Council and officials with Tacoma Water have indicated a willingness to explore ways to lower the increase for 2010. We hope they can find a reasonable solution. If any government entity needs a break right now it is Metro Parks.
The above opinions represents the view of Tacoma Weekly’s editorial board.
