Hal Ezzell's misleading mailer about utility rates!

Another last-minute mailer from Ezzell contains major distortions. Mayor Rosenthal does not want to take away the rights of voters to approve rate increases, and in fact, it is not even within the council's rights to do this.

There have been discussions on the council about whether changing the procedures for utility rate increases might be beneficial because they would (a) lower our borrowing costs for infrastructure investment, (b) prevent steep rate hikes by allowing more frequent and smaller adjustments up and down, and (c) enable Norman to participate more effectively in regional negotiations about water. Ezzell actually supported council control of utility rates in a Chamber survey when he first ran for council, he only seems to have changed his tune now that he can spin the issue on a glossy mailer.

Mayor Rosenthal is open to considering a change in the procedures, but only if it is initiated by a citizen petition. This would be the most democratic way to resolve the issue and would ensure that the citizens of Norman retain control over the way their utilities are managed.