Scaled-back water increase approved by board

The San Lorenzo Valley Water District’s board of directors approved a scaled-back version of a proposed water rate increase at a public hearing on Thursday, Oct. 24.
The public hearing was attended by more than 200 people, including 36 which addressed the board regarding a proposed 5-year rate increase that amounted to 16 percent, 13 percent, 8 percent, 9 percent, and 9 percent over the next five years.
The increase was scaled back to14 percent on January 1, 2014, 11 percent in 2015 and 11 percent in 2016.
The board also approved that at least 120 days before the increases in 2015 and 2016 take effect, the district’s board should seek public input and consider at a public meeting if the full amount of the increase is necessary, or if a lesser increase should be implemented.
Additionally, the much-debated district headquarters consolidation project and its was tabled and is not included on list of projects that will be completed with the current increase.
The changes to the increase proposal came in light of 2,781 letters of protest from district customers. According to the district, it was about 900 short of the 50 percent, plus 1 needed to deny the increase altogether. The opposition came from a group calling themselves SLV Watchdogs who has been critical of the district’s financial acumen and decision making.
For information on the rate increase: www.slvwd.com.