WATER: Rate increase preferred

I was happy to read in the Thursday (June 5) Press that the Coeur d’Alene Water Department is recommending a rate increase in an effort to get a jump start on the inevitable upgrade to the water system. Too many times, our elected leaders opt to “kick the can down the road” and defer making the tough choice to invest now on a smaller scale, instead seeming to prefer to wait until it’s nearly too late, resulting in a huge levy option.

As a retired CFO, I can attest to the importance of looking down the road and beginning preparations early to build reserves for what will be the inevitable, especially considering the significant growth in this city and region. I urge the Coeur d’Alene Council to carefully consider the options, but please do not kick the can. A small rate increase now is far preferable now, as opposed to a significant levy a few years from now.

CLARK VAN BOGART

Coeur d’Alene