But let’s raise rates on water and sewer to pay for new pipes. Makes sense? Right?
The city last year came in under budget, had $41.7 million in general reserves and another unobligated $4 million in its capital budget.
“Those are extra dollars in the cookie jar,” Huether said.
Reserves are important, he added, because they’re on hand to pay for emergencies or rising costs – or for potential “large investments.”
This has often puzzled me, not just about Huether, but many politicians pull this crap. Doogard pulled it during the campaign, he claimed SD was in great financial shape then slashed education. Huether claims we have all kinds of reserves to help pay for a new EC, which is most likely true, but at the same time we are told we must raise water and sewer rates to pay for new pipes. Shouldn’t we be using that money instead?
Fucked priorities.