Plan to raise Fresno water rates in the city council's hands

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- 40,000 protest votes weren't enough to stop a plan to raise water rates in Fresno. After more than two hours of public testimony from opponents and supporters of the water plan, the council voted without comment, to accept the results of the protest vote. That means the city council is now free to consider approving the expansion plan and the rate increase.

The current plan proposes raising more than $400 million by doubling water rates over the next five years. However the city administration is looking at ways to reduce the cost to consumers and it could be several weeks before the council actually votes.