I’m concerned with the water losses of 1.29 million gallons per day
inferred in the Bartle Wells Associates study. The losses are costing
Milpitas residents $3 million dollars per year. I received a second
email dated July 16, from city attorney Christopher Diaz. I asked for
the quantity of water sold in 2017.
Diaz’s response was:
“…the city does not have any disclose-able records because the annual
audit will be completed in October of this year. The annual audit will
contain an accurate numbers for the water sold in 2017.”
The amount of water sold in 2017 has been in the city’s records since
Dec. 31, 2017. So the data has been available and accurate for over 8
months. California Public Records Act (CPRA) states that the city must provide
the data within 10 to 14 days. I have given the city over three months.
Why should I wait till October? The city’s desire to give me the data
beyond 14 days is a violation of CPRA, thanks to the council members
lack of concern in upholding CPRA. The council members have reduced the
residents to second-class citizens below the wishes of city employees,
because employees desires have a higher priority than the residents
right for an open and transparent city government. Vote for new city
council members that will uphold federal and state laws. Vote for Marini for
city council, He has been fighting the city over fair utility rates over six
years.
Milpitas has accelerated the amount potable water losses every year and passing the cost to residents, exceeding the amount estimated in the Urban water management report by 5 years. The city employees want $2.4 million dollars of the water fund to be transferred to the general fund for services to the water infrastructure. The problem is the employees can not verify the time they spend servicing the water fund.
