LAKEPORT ? Lakeport City Council held a special meeting Tuesday and approved a 2009-2010 budget with the stipulation that $30,000 be removed that was slated for rate studies on water and sewer.
Following that council agreed to continue the decision on passing the health insurance surcharge on to early retirees.
According to City Attorney, Steve Brookes, the surcharge costs $92.55 per-person, per- month, $194.38 for two or $277.67 for a family per- month.
“I wish I had a very good answer but I don”t. We”re kind of back to where we were before,” Brookes said.
Tom Engstrom and Bonnie Tringali spoke at the podium, as a portion of those impacted by the council”s decision.
Engstrom voiced frustration because retirees offered to work with city staff to work out a solution. They were set to a week ago and later got notice of the special meeting.
“We are no closer than we were over a month ago,” Engstrom said.
“Are you going to sock it to us tonight?” Engstrom, asked of the council.
Brookes is looking into pricing and asked for more time to accomplish that.
The council continued the issue until Sept. 15.
