Letter to the editor: Keep The Dalles moving

The primary responsibility of The Dalles City Council is to provide for the health and safety of the residents by providing a trained police force and maintaining the utility infrastructure and streets. These require the largest portions of the city budget. The city property tax covers most of the police force cost. The infrastructure for water and sewer are paid for by our water bills. The streets are paid for mostly by state and local gas tax.

Our city’s utility systems are old and we’ve identified a list of capital improvements needed to keep the water and sewer systems operating. The cost of many of the projects are large, the city council authorized the sale of revenue bonds to make the required repairs and improvements to keep the systems operating efficiently. When revenue bonds are sold the repayment has to be guaranteed. The council chose the schedule with the lowest rate possible to lessen the impact on the water and sewer bill. These decisions were made with serious consideration and care.

High rates are not pleasant; however, we must keep our water clean, safe and running and the wastewater treated.

My vision is to keep the city moving into the future with needed improvements that make this city a desirable place to work and live. I am honored to serve and ask for your vote to continue in the position of councilor-at-large.

Carolyn Wood

The Dalles