Proposition 218 Protest Hearing Regarding DWP’s Water Rate Increase Takes Place Tomorrow

In September, the Big Bear Lake Department of Water and Power held two town hall meetings, to review the specifics of a proposed rate increase which, if approved, would be phased in starting in January 2010, with a second increase in July 2011. These water rate increases, for DWP customers in Big Bear Lake, Fawnskin, Sugarloaf and Lake Williams, would ultimately be approved by a vote from the City Council of Big Bear Lake. However, as explained earlier by DWP’s General Manager Joel Dickson, “Before we can present it to City Council, we have to hold a protest hearing, and that will be October 6. If we receive a major written protest, then we can’t implement the proposed rate increase. The rate increase is dead then, and won’t even go to City Council.” As noticed earlier, the Proposition 218-prompted protest hearing does take place tomorrow, October 6, at 9am and will be held at Northwoods Resort, located at 40650 Village Drive in Big Bear Lake. Given the unavailability of the City’s Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, City Councilmember Michael Karp will officiate at tomorrow’s Proposition 218 hearing.