As a concerned citizen of our small community in Norwalk, I am expressing my personal and deep dissatisfaction with the proposed Franchise Fee on our Mid America gas and electric bills. This proposed plan will add an additional 1% fee on our bills, with some Council members like Jackie Livingston even suggesting an increase of 2 or 3 percent. If passed, we are going to bear this burden for the next 25 years. This proposition is reminiscent of a similar attempt years ago, which we, as concerned citizens, successfully stopped with a petition and subsequent public vote.

Our community is already burdened by what could be seen as excessive administrative expenses. Most administrative positions in our city now earn an annual salary of over $125,000 plus benefits, a marked and unnecessary increase of more than $40,000 annually. This burden falls just shy of the average income of a resident living in Norwalk. This does not align with a pressing need for additional funds squeezed from the pockets of the town’s residents.

We need a seat at the decision-making table. We need to be heard. We need the City Council to realize that adding fees on us is not the solution to our city's financial concerns. An open dialogue on fiduciary duties and financial health is needed to avoid burdening the residents further.

We did it once; we stopped an unfair fee from being imposed upon us. We can do it again. Let's unite and raise our voices against this proposed Franchise Fee. Sign the petition and let the City Council know that we, the people of Norwalk, say NO to this proposal.