Letter sent to Largo Mayor and City Commission – utility billWe've read: (a) You actually approved sending Commissioner Rodney Woods to a governmental meeting in Atlanta, that is exclusively for blacks, but:I just opened our utility bill . . . according to my math our Largo sewer bill just went up 18.35% but worse the trash pickup increased 19.49%. How on earth can you justify handing out trips to exclusively racial gatherings AND giving the city lawyer more money while increasing our sewer and trash bill astronomically? - Sam Carter -------------------------------------- To: Sam Carter This is in response to your May 9th e-mail to the City Commission. The last sewer rate increase was effective July 1, 2007. The percentage of sewer rate increase depends on the gallons of water used. People using 3,000 gallons or less per month experienced a 15% increase last year. The sewer increase on your last bill was probably due to increased water usage because sewer rates have not changed since last year. Everyone does pay more if they use more water. The last solid waste rate increase was effective January 1, 2008. Single family rates went up 15%, from $15.35 per month to $17.65 per month. Residential solid waste rates are fixed, so you could not have received a 19.49% increase. The City Attorney's retainer is $117,000 per year or $9,500 per month. The City Commission's budget includes monies for travel and other expenses. The Mayor or any Commissioner may request prior authorization from the City Commission to attend meetings or conferences. Commissioner Woods requested and received authorization to attend the National League of Cities National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials Annual Summer Conference at the May 6th Regular Commission Meeting. I trust this answers some of your questions and concerns. Please feel free to contact this office at any time. - Patricia S. Gerard, Mayor City of Largo
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