Results of City of Big Bear Lake City Council’s Monday Night Meeting

Big Bear Lake,  CA, July 13, 2010, 5:04pm – Results from last night’s City of Big Bear Lake City Council meeting concluded in a three to two vote to cut, by 70%, the proposed increase in sewer user, refuse and sewer standby fees for the 2010-2011 tax rolls.    For sanitation related fees, that equates to an increase of $13.22 for year one and $7.66 for year two as opposed to the proposed total increase of $54.90.  For refuse fees, that equates to an increase of $7.68 for two years as opposed to the proposed total increase of $51.00.  During the discussion, it was decided to delay and reduce the scope of the new Public Works building because of continuing uncertain economic times.  In addition to that cut, the regular fee increase was cut in half.  The City Council heard many arguments against the original increases and asked for the increase to be delayed until better economic times return.  Council also approved a resolution authorizing the Department of Water and Power to issue water revenue bonds with a principal amount not to exceed $3,628,000.  These special bonds included grant funding and ultra low interest rates offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for rural communities in order to improve Big Bear’s pipeline infrastructure.   The General Municipal Election proposed Charter Amendment will be decided by majority vote in the u pcoming November elections by the citizens of Big Bear Lake.  If passed, it will change the Charter allowing non-residents of Big Bear Lake who are DWP customers to serve on the Board of Directors for the City of Big Bear Lake’s Department of Water and Power.  It was unanimously decided by City Council members to take a neutral position on this issue thus allowing outside individuals to write the Pro-Charter Amendment argument and the argument against making changes to the Charter that will be published in the upcoming voter’s pamphlet.  The deadline for submission to the City of Big Bear Lake’s City Clerk is July 26th.  The last day for submission for a rebuttal is August 5th.