The next time you hear about the government proposing the creation of a new “authority” to deal with, well, with anything, you should call your legislator and tell them to just say, “NO.” Government’s tax and then the spend. It’s what they do. Government created Authorities assess fees and then they increase fees. It’s what they do.
Homes and businesses in Mesa del Sol apparently will be the first to get hit by a new Water Utility Authority fee for buying water rights.
Only new buildings constructed outside the water authority’s service area will be affected by the rules, which have been incorporated into the water rate ordinance.
The rules will add about $1,250 to the cost of a standard- size home. The fee rises for larger homes, commercial and industrial size projects to as much as $66,000, depending on meter size, said Frank Roth, water authority Senior Policy Manager.
The one-time fee for buildings, called the “water supply charge,” will be placed into an account the water authority can only use to buy new water rights or direct toward finding new sources of water.
Lynne Andersen, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties president, said the fees will most likely be passed on to home buyers and business owners.
Here comes the bad part. When elected government officials raise taxes, we at least have an opportunity to vote them out of office the next election cycle. The same is not true for government created Authorities. These folks are appointed, not elected, so the taxpayer has no recourse whatsoever.
It basically boils down to “Taxation without Representation.” The last time that got out of control there was a revolution in this country.