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Resident warns proposed water and sewer rate increases could harm longtime and low‑income La Verne households
Summary
During public comment, a resident identified as Mr. Gavdon expressed concern that water and sewer rate increases are not well communicated and could impose significant hardship on long‑time and lower‑income residents; city staff noted community meetings and a survey (52 responses to date).
A La Verne resident used the Oct. 20 public‑comment period to urge clearer outreach about proposed water and sewer rate increases and broader fiscal pressures the city may face.
The speaker identified in the record as Mr. Gavdon said he had attended recent rate‑related meetings and was concerned that an informational flyer that included rate material was not widely read. "I'm very concerned that the news that took up approximately 13% of this flyer that went out to the community was probably just discarded," he said, adding that many residents — particularly those who bought homes long ago and live on fixed incomes — could be hit hard if rates "double or more depending on where you live in the city." He urged council to consider the cumulative impact of other cost pressures, including ongoing contract negotiations for police services.
Earlier in the meeting Aaron Bilestein told council the community survey tied to strategic planning had 52 responses so far, compared with roughly 350 responses last year. Staff and council members acknowledged ongoing outreach via virtual and in‑person meetings, and council members urged continued transparency about rate proposals and fiscal planning.
What happens next: the city continues community outreach on water and sewer proposals; no formal action on rates was recorded in the Oct. 20 meeting minutes.
