I don't always agree with Judy Ducayne's views, but her column on May 1 made a very good point. Why does every budget include a increase in water and or sewer rates?

An example is always given as to the relatively small way it will affect the “average” home owner, but no consideration about the effect on the already overtaxed small business.

There has to be a reason why rates that are already some of the highest in the nation still aren't enough to operate this department.

Having two workers riding in the same city truck just to read meters and letting billions of gallons go missing are just two examples of waste that need to be addressed.

Maybe it's time to take an internal look at efficiency before taking the easy way out and making rate increases an annual event.

David Appel

Auburn