League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	San Francisco County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
	Proposition I Creating the Office of an Independent Rate Payer Advocate City of San Francisco Charter Amendment - Majority Approval Required Fail: 117,050 / 36.71% Yes votes ...... 201,811 / 63.29% No votes See Also: Index of all Propositions

Arguments For Proposition I

Proposition I would create an Office of the Independent Ratepayer Advocate for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). The Independent Ratepayer Advocate would be an independent body from the SFPUC and would advocate on behalf of ratepayers to achieve the lowest possible rates and to ensure safe and reliable service. The SFPUC is our largest, wealthiest and most powerful commission overseeing an annual budget of $677 million and a tenyear capital plan program of over $7 billion. The SFPUC is responsible for the Hetch Hetchy rebuild, the proposed waste water master plan, the San Francisco West side recycled water project, and the solar incentive program. Billions of dollars are at stake and you, the ratepayer will pay the price. Previous rate increase plans have been ill-conceived, unfair and excessive. We must have an independent advocate to review rates, to ensure that the utilities' costs are shared fairly among all users, and to guarantee that ratepayers have a voice. The Independent Ratepayer Advocate would be charged with evaluating the efficiency, equity and fiscal responsibility of all proposals, contracts, investments, program expenditures and operations put forth by the SFPUC. The Ratepayer Advocate would have the power to obtain PUC information, hold public meetings and provide comments and recommendations on rate proposals to the SFPUC and the Board of Supervisors. To insulate the Ratepayer Advocate from political influence, this person will be appointed by the City Administrator, not an elected official. It is time that San Francisco ratepayers were represented by an independent voice. By supporting this proposition, you will give San Francisco residents an independent voice at the SFPUC. Join us in voting YES on Proposition I to create an Independent Ratepayer Advocate and greater scrutiny of the SFPUC. Supervisor Alioto-Pier Supervisor Ammiano Supervisor Chu Supervisor Dufty Supervisor Elsbernd Supervisor McGoldrick (No arguments against Proposition I were submitted)