#Ontario #Chino #IEUA

IEUA's Controversial Rate Hike: A Closer Look

In a swift move that has incited outrage among local governments and citizens alike, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) has approved an 18% increase in water rates over a span of two years. The decision was made unanimously, showcasing what many believe was a blatant disregard for community welfare and a lack of transparency in the decision-making process.

Local government leaders from areas including Chino, Montclair, and Ontario issued a joint statement expressing their deep disappointment and labeling the procedural aspects of the vote as flawed. Chino Mayor Eunice Ulloa highlighted the lack of collaboration, suggesting that IEUA merely went through the motions without engaging in meaningful discourse with the stakeholders affected by the decision.

Quote from Mayor Ulloa emphasizes, "This wasn't collaboration—it was a box-checking exercise."

The IEUA’s actions have raised serious concerns about the governance within the agency, with accusations of withholding critical documents and not allowing adequate time for communities to review the proposed rate changes. Residents received scant information regarding the underlying assumptions and implications of the rate hike, primarily because the study that justified the increase was only available at the this point.

Public dissent manifested through numerous comment letters directed at the agency, all of which the IEUA leadership seemed to overlook. A disjunction exists between the agencies advocating for transparency and the IEUA’s primary motivations, which appear to prioritize funding for expansive projects rather than ensuring fair utility rates for local residents.

The controversy is particularly centered on the IEUA’s Chino Basin Program (CBP), a substantial recycling water project aimed at increasing wastewater treatment capacity. Critics argue that while the project appears beneficial on a large scale, it does not adequately secure water reliability for local residents, many of whom grapple with ongoing affordability issues.

Ontario City Councilmember Debra Porada voiced her concerns, stating, "This rate hike is not about local water reliability; it is about funding a billion-dollar project that sends our water to the State while our communities get stuck with the bill." Her comments highlight the implications for local taxpayers and the prioritization of state interests over community needs.

Adding fuel to the fire, some IEUA board members made derogatory remarks during meetings, dismissing public input as irrelevant. Public disdain resurfaced with board members suggesting that the financial burden was not significant enough to warrant concern, further straining the relationship between the agency and the communities it serves.

Monte Vista Water District Board President Sandra S. Rose also chimed in, criticizing the dismissiveness towards public engagement, stating, "These decisions affect real families, and agencies should be equal partners in regional infrastructure planning."

What compounds the dissatisfaction is the shifting narrative around how IEUA utilizes public funds. Historically, a portion of property tax revenues was earmarked for specific uses, such as wastewater treatment. However, recent practices have seen these funds reclassified as general reserves, raising red flags regarding oversight and the potential for unjustified charges to ratepayers.

Montclair Mayor Javier