Tomorrow evening the City Council is expected to vote on whether or not to adopt increases to the city's water and sewer rates. At the last meeting this issue was tabled to tomorrow. John Franck and Ken Ivins both cited concerns over process as the reason for tabling the vote. We're expecting Skip Scirocco (and perhaps Bill McTygue) to present new arguments for why the increase is necessary at tomorrow's meeting. In the mean time, it's time for you all to weigh in: is the increase called for? Do you support it? Why or why not?

Also at issue at tomorrow's meeting is $64,000 in funding for police overtime at the Racino. Chief Moore said at Monday's agenda meeting that the figure was calculated based on comparing the workload handled by state police at the racino, and comparing that to what city cops already handle. Setting aside completely the issue that professional police officers have determined the number of hours necessary to handle the increased work load at the racino, and have made officers available to cover those duties, do you think the council is likely to approve the budget item (which would take $ out of the contingency line)? As a casual observer of the council, the past few meetings have felt a little like a 4-on-1 fight, with everyone teaming up on Ron Kim. Do you think the council will set politics aside for one night and listen to the advice of professionals who are paid to keep the city safe, or will police overtime to handle work at the racino become the subject of yet another political fight?


Thoughts? Comments? Be heard!