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Residents press council on high electricity bills and ask for local support programs
Summary
During public comment, residents described high electricity costs compared with neighboring towns and proposed new community services, including emotional‑support meetings and a citizen police academy; council and staff offered follow‑up contacts and next steps for local coordination.
Public comment at the Dec. 10 Newman City Council meeting focused on utility costs and community services.
Josh Smith, who identified himself as a local health clinic worker and Newman resident, said "Newman residents are paying 3 to 4 times more for electricity than people in Paterson" and urged officials to join him in confronting higher rates. Council members and staff acknowledged the issue and noted the state Public Utilities Commission and PG&E's rate decisions are factors; staff invited Smith to email city officials so they could coordinate outreach with their congressman and an Assemblymember's office.
George Martinez suggested the city permit use of a civic facility for emotion‑support meetings modeled on Alcoholics Anonymous and proposed a citizen police academy to help residents understand policing policies and build community trust. Martinez also raised concerns that residents' phone messages to council members are not always returned and asked for a staff rotation or assignment to ensure calls are routed to the intended councilmember.
Council members thanked the speakers and said staff would follow up on the requests. No formal action was taken during the public comment period.
