[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
We all are aware of the skyrocketing natural gas bills. Now each bill
contains a City Franchise Fee (polite for sales tax?) which is a
percentage of the gross (amount not quality) bill. Each bill has line
entries for basic service, delivery, and cost of gas. It is the latter
that has been skyrocketing. My point is the city is being enriched as a
result external market forces and my proposal is to seek measures to
stabilize (and hopefully reduce) the franchise fee. It is within the
power of the city council and the mayor to alter the basis upon which the
fee is assessed. So the question I would like to be presented to each
candidate is:
"What will you do about the skyrocketing City Franchise Fee on natural
gas?"
I agree that the city should not make windfall profits from the very
situation that creates serious hardship for Minneapolis residents. Since last
year's heating season, average gas consumption has nearly doubled for most
consumers due to this year's severe cold and the cost per therm has also
roughly doubled. Most consumers saw their gas bills double or triple over
last year. I think that this fee should be capped at a level that represents
- at most - an average level of gas consumption at a reasonable gas price.
Perhaps a basis for that cap could be the average use and average cost of
heating gas over the last 5 years.
Ann Berget/ Candidate for City Council
Kingfield 10-10
