Attention to Milpitas residents: To sign it online: www.tinyurl.com/NoWaterHike The city required citizens to write a letter to protest the change. Last time in August the city increased sewer price by 38%, only 282 letters met the city’s requirements to protest, because many residents didn’t know what the parcel number was or where to find it or simply were too busy to write and mail a letter. This time, the water rate hike is over 57% which is out of residents’ tolerance. We would like to protest the water rate hike together . Only united residents to protest the water hike will have a chance to reach the city's required protest letter number. Milpitas residents, you can go to www.tinyurl.com/NoWaterHike to sign the protest letter. Please respond before December 15th, 2015 7PM. Letter to City of Milpitas We oppose the water rate increase! The reasons are: 1. It is clear punishment for consumers who are devoted to conserve water. This shouldn’t happen under the circumstance of serious drought and State government calls for water conservation. The new rate is apparently encouraging residents to consume more water. Milpitas water consumers did respond to State government’ calling and water usage has been reduced 26.1-30%. Because of the usage reduction, the city of Milpitas (the city) collects much less money than before and can’t balance its account. As a result of water conservation, Milpitas consumers don't get any reward but the huge water rate hike. 2. The cost of upgrading the water infrastructure shouldn’t simply be passed to water consumers. We totally understand the city wants to upgrade the aging water infrastructure that needs $42M in total. The city could raise funds from bond issuance, not depend on a water rate increase and put financial burden on average families. 3. The City should subsidize citizens’ drinking water. We also totally understand that the water supplier will increase its wholesale price. Please bear in mind that people depend on water to survive; therefore, water should be a top priority for subsidies. 4. The 57% water rate increase is unacceptable. Many residents live paycheck to paycheck and many of them are struggling to meet ends. The 57% water rate increase will make many citizens and families suffer. Look around, no city raises water rates more than 50% or near the 57%! San Jose water rate will only hike 15% . San Francisco city uses the same water source as Milpitas, the Hetch Hetchy water, and its water rate used to be much higher than Milpitas but after the 57% price hike, Milpitas residents will pay a higher rate than SF. One home address, or parcel number or utility bill customer account number, one signature only. online signing website: www.tinyurl.com/NoWaterHike Please respond before the deadline of December 15th, 2015 5PM. To satisfy the city's protest requirement, we will print out this letter with the signatures, and deliver it in person to the city.