BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Burlington officials Tuesday night outlined proposed water infrastructure bond measures that could double the bill for ratepayers. They say the more than $200 million investment is needed, but will voters support the increased cost?
“Currently my husband and I are renters in Burlington but I think it could definitely affect us in the future,” said Mary Powers, who is among area residents who worry that Burlington’s taxes and fees will make home ownership harder to reach.
“I think a lot of these tax increases or potential tax increases are, I would think, antithetical to what the city’s mission is in terms of creating an affordable place, a diverse place,” said Jack Kowalski/a Burlington renter.
The pressure is felt by many after a massive high school bond increased state education taxes, on top of the impacts of inflation on goods and services.
But the city’s Megan Moir says fixing the water and sewer systems is critical. “Things that were old, that should have been replaced, had not been replaced. And any one of those systems that I have put on those report cards that are in that CD and F category could result in… could fail,” Moir explained.
The median home water user in Burlington is currently billed $712 a year in wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water costs. If the more than $200 million bond measure makes it onto the ballot and is approved by voters, it would more than double that bill to nearly $1,500 over the next five years.
Residents could also be facing another sizeable increase in school taxes next year, and possibly another general obligation bond from the city, along with a projected budget deficit that could lead to a general fund tax increase.
Burlington City Council President Ben Traverse, D-Ward 5, worries the increases are not sustainable. “Burlington taxpayers can’t afford that, so we’re going to have to hear more commitment from the administration with respect to where the savings are coming from and what the administration really wants to prioritize among these items,” he said.
Moir says they can’t really do a piecemeal upgrade to reduce the price tag because the systems are all connected and have to be fixed at the same time.
Copyright 2024 WCAX. All rights reserved.