Jake Savala's Priorities
EVERY RATE INCREASE SHOULD HAVE TO BE JUSTIFIED.
Colorado Springs Utilities belongs to the people of Colorado Springs.
Jake believes it should operate that way.
As a member of City Council and the Utilities Board, Jake will demand transparency about rates, infrastructure, future capacity, water supply, capital spending and executive compensation.
Families and small businesses already face rising costs.
Utilities should not add to that burden without demonstrating a genuine need.
PROTECT RATEPAYERS
Jake will scrutinize proposed residential and commercial rate increases and demand clear explanations for why they are necessary.
Every rate and executive salary increase must be Justifiable!
He will ask:
What is driving the increase?
What alternatives were considered?
What spending can be delayed or reduced?
What impact will the increase have on families and small businesses?
And what measurable benefit will ratepayers receive?
Ratepayers deserve answers before being asked to pay more.
PROTECT SMALL BUSINESSES
Jake knows what it means to operate a small business.
Every increase in electricity, water, natural gas or regulatory cost eventually has to come from somewhere.
For many local businesses, there isn't an unlimited margin to absorb another increase.
Jake will bring the perspective of a small business owner to the Utilities Board and City Council.
Colorado Springs should be a city where locally owned businesses can grow, hire and succeed.
PLAN FOR CAPACITY BEFORE APPROVING GROWTH
Development requires infrastructure.
Infrastructure requires capacity.
And capacity costs money.
Jake believes residents deserve honest information about how much additional growth our water, electric and natural gas systems can support and what future expansion will cost existing ratepayers.
Growth should pay its fair share.
Existing families should not be handed the bill after the fact.
WATER SECURITY
Water is one of the most important long-term issues facing Colorado Springs.
Jake supports responsible planning that protects reliable water supplies for current residents before making commitments that could strain the system in the future.
Water policy should be driven by facts, long-term needs and honest capacity projections.
Not politics.