I read with interest your letter tp the Sedona Eye regarding the solar project at the WWTP. I wanted to make you aware of some information since the basic premise of your letter was incorrect. The City entered into a twenty-year power purchase agreement with Sun Edison. Under the terms of the agreement, they will construct at their cost a solar energy system at the plant and sell the energy to the WWTP at a guaranteed cost for the entire twenty years that is lower than what we currently pay APS. At the end of the agreement, the City can choose to extend the agreement, purchase the system at the market value at that time, or require Sun Edison to remove the equipment and vacate the site.

So, there is no public monies invested in this project, and it will save the taxpayers a considerable amount of money from the moment it begins operation.

In the future, before you write a similar letter, I encourage you to contact us so that your information is accurate. I’m sure you are interested in factual information and we are more than willing to provide it.

And he never responded to my 11% question? Will have to ask him again.

What is the purpose of that empty hose pipe? Did it have to do with the City of Sedona wastewater plant? What are the answers for why this pipe is there, what did it cost, and why was this project abandoned, and why is this piping system not removed? Mr. Chamberlain’s story picture lacks an explanation and this Sedona citizen is wanting answers too as I bet Mr. Chamberlain and his group and the rest of us taxpayers are too!

Thank you Sedona Eye for bringing this to our attention. Someone at City Hall should thank Mr. Chamberlain’s group for their work keeping our Sedona litter picked up. ADOT too.

The transfer of reserve funds to the General Fund to is not uncommon and lacks transparency.

The City’s sales tax bond debt of approximately $55 million is backed by sales taxes, not wastewater fees. Transfers out of the Wastewater Fund allow the City to pay the wastewater portion of its annual debt service of around $6 million from the General Fund.

The city should not spend money it does not have. Perhaps we can have a staff cut to provide the funds?

Additionally, read Sam Milham’s book, Dirty Electricity. Solar and wind produce huge amounts of dirty electricity. Not so “green” after all.

The City’s ongoing revenues barely keep pace with operations. The City’s budget forecast does not project a big increase in sales and bed taxes from business. Not spending money is the obvious answer.

It matters not to our City Council that the economy is in the toilet and businesses and residents are hurting. The people who live here are going to have to pay more taxes and higher fees. Besides the recent talk of a 1% sales tax increase, 10% annual sewer fee increases are planned for the next five years beginning with July 1, 2013 when the residential rate will become $52.07/mo.

The City Council has already authorized and budgeted big $$$ to update the Wastewater Rate Study of March 8, 2010. Lots of people are not hooked up to the sewer, so are not paying. The 60% of us on the sewer are prey.