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Carol Winters <br />932 W 19t? Street <br />Santa Ana, CA 92706-3515 <br />carolwinters@sbcelobal.net <br />May 31, 2011 <br />Office of the Clerk of the Council <br />Santa Ana City Hall <br />20 Civic Center Plaza. <br />Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br />Dear Ms. Huizar, <br />Z?lt .IU`i -3 ?? ?D= 23 <br />C9T`i' ? ?. s'acd? <br />?,.,??1t <br />?? c <br />I am sending you this letter to protest the proposed rate increases for Water Usage and Sewer for the fiscal <br />year 201 ]/2012_ I have reviewed the 2011-2012 proposed budget discussion of the cost of delivering these <br />services to the citizens of Santa Ana. I have reviewed the 201 O Comprehensive Annual Financial Report <br />(CAFR) and have noted for example, the increase in rates and net assets for the Water fund over the last 1 O <br />years. Recent years the fund's financial statements have shown that the rates are high enough to cover the <br />operating expenses, the debt covenant, and the planned capital expenditures. <br />Commodity costs have decreased the last two years, rates have increased year after year and consumption is <br />down. I have noticed that the water fund has cash of $18 million and unrestricted net assets of $20 million. <br />Planned capital expenditures, according to the 201 1-2012 budget, show total infrastructure capital <br />improvements of $25 million over the next seven years. It would seem that the combination of cash and <br />unrestricted net assets of the size in the water fund are sufficient, especially when coupled with the 1 O year <br />history of the fund's activities that generate revenue in excess of expenses consistently, especially in the last <br />few years. Of particular concern to me is that the water fund has advanced $2 million "due on demand" to <br />the general fund. It would seem, as presented in the CAFR, it is the general fund that needs attention, not the <br />water fund. The fees that the residents of Santa Ana pay for water should remain in the water fund. <br />I have a similar position on the sewer fees- Assets and the present level of fees appear to be sufficient for the <br />operations and capital expenditures anticipated for this fund. <br />Please pass along to the City Council my protest to the rate increases. I will plan to attend the City Council <br />meeting on June 6, 201 1 to share my perspective based upon the budget and CAFR information provided by <br />the City of Santa Ana. <br />Sincerely, <br />????? YV?'/?? <br />Carol Winters <br />75B