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Dale Helvig <br />Resident, Santa Ana CA 92706 <br />February 20, 2024 <br />Mayor Amezcua and Santa Ana City Councilmembers <br />City of Santa Ana <br />20 Civic Center Plaza, 8th Floor <br />Santa Ana CA 92702 <br />Subject: ITEM 44 — Resolution Adjusting Sanitation Services Users Charge <br />I understand that costs continue to rise. But to propose a Sanitation Services Users Charge rate <br />increase to commence on July 1, 2024 of 219% is hard to justify. ($5.35 to $11.72). At year 5 of the <br />proposal, it is 251% over the current rates! <br />To put it into perspective: a mom and pop owner of a 4 unit rent control building will see their <br />Sanitation Services Users Charge increase $611.52 per year during the first year, rising to $777.60 in <br />year 5 of the contract. Some could say this is a small amount to pay but as time marches on the rent <br />control units will continue to suffer. This could eventually lead to the selling of these units to larger <br />entities that can absorb the costs. Worse yet, when the asset is sold the new owners could tear down <br />the rent control units, pay the fees and relocation costs and rebuild with market rate properties. <br />I believe this is a reality that rent control units will face as the cost of doing business continues to rise. <br />The City of Santa Ana should consider the impacts of these rate adjustments as it applies to rent control <br />units. Some options: <br />1. The Sanitation Services Users Charge should match the allowable rent control rate increase, <br />currently at 2.85%. <br />2. The Sanitation Services Users Charge should be a two-tier schedule, one for rent control units and <br />one for all property owners. <br />3. The Sanitation Services Users Charge should not be charged per unit. <br />Disclaimer: I own a single-family home and DO NOT own any rental property. <br />Increasing City controlled fees (trash, sanitation, water, user utility tax) to well above approved rent <br />control increases is simply wrong. <br />Thank you for your thoughtful consideration. Stay safe, stay healthy. <br />Respectfully, <br />CL�. 4 1 <br />t <br />Dale A Helvig <br />Resident, Santa Ana <br />Page 1 of 1 . - <br />2024-02-20 Letter to City Council -Item 44 <br />