To the editor:

The recent article by Chad Lawhorn concerning the costs of our water utility once again reflects the weakness in our local political processes. We seem to be way over-responsive to local special interests. As a result we have seriously politicized our water utility. We are not charging some of our citizens the true cost of the service we provide to them. We then charge others (those who irrigate and third parties) a disproportionate rate to cover the true costs. Now it is coming back to bite us.

The third parties are looking for cheaper solutions and some who irrigate are considering a court challenge that will cost taxpayers. The justification for charging the latter so much is the need for capacity to provide them service. We all know we built that capacity to address growth! Why are we trying to punish a portion of our citizens for that mistake rather than just accept the planning failure that has placed us in this position?

Why do we not just charge for services received? Is our commission doing this, or is our city manager behind these discriminatory policies? Somebody seems to be trying to cover their mistakes by compounding them with policies that divide our community!