Modesto Irrigation District voted for a 7% rate increase in 2011.  A graph in the newspaper showed that over the last 10 years,  we had increases in all years and 9 of 10 were over 7%. Total increase in electricity cost: 216.4%.  OUCH!!! In ten years! Does anyone want to know why our economy sucks in this Valley? What business would want to move here when rates for a basic commodity have not doubled, but quadrupled in 10 years. Makes me want to bring my industry to town…NOT.  Source is Stanislaus Taxpayers Association

This blog is about electricity, but they also screwed us on water, raising rates over 200% in just six years. My small business pays $76 per month for the privilege of using the toilet about 4 times per day. Total use of water is 24 cubic feet per month on average or 180 gallons a month.  So lets say, that’s 3 to 4 flushes per day or 6 gallons a day. Cost per day to use the bathroom  is $2.64. Paying a quarter at a pay bathroom would be cheaper!

MID is a ‘Public Utility.” It is not suppose to make a profit, but like a lot of “Public” Entities, we have found during this Depression, that many just raise rates or taxes without any regard to efficiency or good common business practices.

It is time to make a move. We need to seek new Boards of Director members NOW, so when the next election comes around, we are ready. The current Board of Directors needs to get its act together and make some heads fly. The General Manager should be the first to be axed if for no other reason than to staple some of the bad feelings that ratepayers have towards MID to someone to trash. It may not do any good, but most would feel better. It’s also time to get some transparency  into this system. Mistakes have been made….BIG mistakes over the last 10 years. Be honest and lets put them behind us and move on, with new people who take ratepayers seriously, not as another source of financing for a game not played well.