Soap Lake councilmember's claim questioned

SOAP LAKE - Former Soap Lake Councilman Barney Berg asked for some clarification on a statement made by his opponent prior to the election.

Last week, during the public comment period of the year's first Soap Lake Council meeting, Berg said he wanted to know the origins of a campaign statement made by incoming position 1 councilman John Glassco regarding a 400 percent utility rate hike proposed by the city in 2010.

On several occasions in the lead up to the November election Glassco pointed to the proposed increase as one of his primary reasons for running for office.

"I'd like to know where that figure came from," Berg said. "I've looked through the (council) minutes of the last four years and I haven't found any mention of a 400 percent rate increase, which in terms of a conservative figure is $276 on your basic utility bill."

Glassco told Berg he and other local property owners used a public records request to get a list of increases recommended for 45 properties within the city.

"I'd be glad to share that with you, I'll bring it to the next meeting for you," Glassco told Berg.

A copy of the undated report, titled "Impact of Recommended Changes," shows proposed rate increases for residential, commercial and commercial/residential properties ranging from .4 percent up to 413 percent.

In most cases the rate increases correspond with changes in property status or an increase in the number of rental units.

The report changes Glassco's own property status to commercial/residential, putting it in line for a proposed rate increase of about $298 per month, or 411 percent.

Soap Lake Finance Director Karen Dillon was unavailable Monday to comment on who recommended the proposed changes, the reasoning behind the rate hikes or how many of the property owners listed had their rates increased in the end.

Glassco said Monday the report was given to the council in September of 2010 and later obtained by Fredrick Slough, who owns a four-unit property in Soap Lake.

"The people mentioned on the page, including me, all got letters from the city announcing the rate increases we would see on our next billing," Glassco said. "I am surprised that Barney (Berg) appeared not to be aware of this report because it was prepared for him and the council."

A group of property owners on the list hired an attorney to fight the rate hike, according to Glassco, who said the property owners "backed the city down somewhat on their ambitions to exact this arbitrary tax on the few remaining rental businesses in Soap Lake."

The city reportedly decided to allow those with inactive rentals to opt out of the tax, such as Glassco, who owns an eight-unit property he said has not been rented in more than 20 years.

Glassco reiterated Monday how receiving the threat of a large rate cost increase prodded him toward a city council try.

"Receiving this alarming notice was one of two things by the city that inspired me to run for office and attempt to get control of arbitrary and unplanned increases," he said. "Sharp increases during these hard times are very hard to handle for many residents."