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1/27/17 –  If you ever wondered why Banning’s utility rates are through the roof, here may be – at least partially – your answer : The City of Banning’s Utility Department just used ratepayer’s money to purchase a brand new, top-of-the-line gym for their new utility warehouse. The new building had its grand opening this week, on January 26.

But don’t get any ideas : this gym is not meant for you ; only a privileged few will be able to use it : those who work for the City Utility Department. You, the ratepayer, are not welcome to use it.

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SECOND CITY OWNED GYM 

This is the second gym the City has built for its employees. The first one, paid for by grant money,  is contained in Banning’s $ 14M “Taj Mahal” Police Station. Now the second gym is part of Banning’s new $ 3.2M Electric Utility Warehouse.

Sources familiar with both indicate that the new Utility gym puts the one located in the Police Department to shame.

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STAFF REPORT ON NEW BUILDING DID NOT MENTION A GYM

Some time ago, when Utility Director Fred Mason sought approval for a new, expanded Utility Warehouse, Mason did not mention anything about a gym being proposed.

It appears that both the public and the City council were left in the dark about his plan for this expensive perk, and just learned about it after the fact.

Who approved this expense? Fred Mason ? City manager Michael Rock? Or possibly even former Mayor Debbie Franklin?

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WHY DO UTILITY WORKERS GET THEIR OWN GYM ?

The question arises: why does the City of Banning feel the need to provide its employees with a top of the line gym ? Are the employees so underused that they need to burn off excessive energy at a City owned gym ?

Would it really be asking for too much if the employees had to join a public gym ?  Apparently so.  After all, the Utility Department is awash in millions of dollars in cash. And it appears, its Utility director doesn’t mind spending money on perks.

Returning funds to the ratepayers certainly does not seem to enter his mind. Has he forgotten that the average household income in Banning remains well under $ 35,000/year ?

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CONCLUSION

Here we have yet another case of runaway City government. Not even the City council appears to have been made aware of the perks that Banning employees create for each other.

In the meantime, you, the ratepayer, are expected to pay your bill on time. That gym you struggle so hard to pay for is not meant for you!

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