Residents vent to Mabton council

MABTON -- Angry residents vented frustrations on city leaders Tuesday, complaining about everything from water bills and the police chief's salary to media coverage and graffiti.

"It makes you guys look bad," said Rebecca Herrera at a City Council meeting with standing room only. "You guys sit here at every council meeting and argue and bicker."

City Council members and Mayor Velva Herrera, as well as police Chief Robert Perales, shot back, saying everyone was doing the best they could and disagreements are part of government.

Herrera pounded her gavel several times to quiet the rapid-fire complaints, sometimes coming from people who did not wait to be called on and did not give their name like she asked them to.

"I'm not a bad person," Herrera finally told the crowd, her voice rising. "I'm doing my job and I'm doing the best I can."

Council members did make a few decisions at Tuesday's meeting, authorizing Herrera to sign a union contract between the Teamsters Local No. 760 and the city's public works employees and police officers. The contract outlines vacation plans, overtime, seniority and other personnel issues.

Many residents, however, showed up to complain about a spike in their water bills.

"If you keep raising up the water, we're going to have a ghost town," said Abel Orozco.

At the first of the year, the City Council raised utility taxes from 6 percent to 25 percent to help balance the 2008 general budget. The city also laid off two employees -- one from public works and one police officer.

Meanwhile, city employees altered the July billing cycle from one month to about 44 days to accommodate an employee's vacation.

It's also hot and residents might be using more, said Councilwoman Oping Hutson after the meeting.

Some residents questioned Perales' increase on July 1 from 20 hours a week to full time and a salary that jumped from just under $2,000 to $4,000 per month.

"In reality, we're paying for it (with higher utility taxes)" said Natalie Palomarez.

That's not quite true. Utility taxes go into the general budget and pay for salaries.

But when Herrera increased Perales' hours, she used money from the Yakima County law and justice sales tax and funds the city used to pay Granger when Perales also was the police chief there. She said they won't affect the general budget.

Earlier this month, council members complained that she didn't discuss it with them first. However, in Mabton's strong-mayor form of government, Herrera makes hiring decisions, as long as she stays within the budget passed by the council.

Perales shared with council members a few bright notes about law enforcement in spite of the staffing shortages. Calls to the police department were down in July this year compared to July last year. The city also went the whole month this year without a burglary -- there were nine last year in July.

In 2007, the city had 24-hour police coverage. With the smaller staff this year, that hasn't been possible, Perales said.

"There are gaps," he said.

* Ross Courtney can be reached at 930-8798 or rcourtney@yakimaherald.com.

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