Historical account: water system in 1965

"Council Keeps Faith With Pledge to City"
Humboldt Beacon, November 18, 1965, page 1

Keeping faith with the residents of Fortuna, members of the city council Monday night instructed the city attorney to prepare an ordinance amendment based upon recommendation of the city administrative and fiscal officers, George Dinsmore and Eugene Lucas, to reduce Fortuna city water rates for 1966 by approximately $12,000 annually. This will give local water users the lowest comparable rates in Humboldt county.

Acting Mayor Herman Bistrin received unanimous support from council members in declaring that the Fortuna water department is now in shape to reduce rates. Several years ago, rates were increased to permit the city to make major improvements without bonding the city, with the understanding that when possible old rates would be restored or improved. "We have done better than that," Bistrin declared, "and we can now have summer rates the year around."

The minimum rate will be reduced from $5 to $4 per month up to 1000 cubic feet per month. On use from 1000 to 400 cu. feet[sic], the rate will drop from the regular .0045 cu. ft. to .0026; from 4001 to 7000 cu. ft. from .0035 to .0023 and up to 10,000 down to .0020. For the heaviest users the rate will drop to the lowest point of .0010.

The water department has shown a steady operating revenue, with an operating profit of $44,881 during the past year. Both Dinsmore and Lucas reported to the council it would be safe economy to make the reduction, which for this city is the equivalent of another major tax cut.

Councilman Ray Stewart added, "maybe this is a good time to say Merry Christmas to our citizens."

Note: While the above article states that rates were increased to avoid bonding the city, an earlier news account indicated that at some point the city had issued a bond:

. . .The tax rate had been set previously at 50 cents, plus 16 cents for bond interest and redemption. [emphasis added]

From: "May Expand Rohner Park Facilities"
Humboldt Beacon, August 20, 1964, page 1