Commentary: Measure N vote means difference between affordable water and financial disaster

We believe very strongly that merger with San Lorenzo Valley Water District is the best way forward for the health, safety, and financial well-being of the people of Lompico. We are also aware that we were each elected to this Board by voters who wish us — and expect us — to finalize the merger. We have done everything that we can to bring the issue to this point. Now it’s once again in the hands of the voters. We urge you to vote “yes” on Measure N.
In 2010, the Board became aware of the extent of the district’s difficulties. In attempting to uncover problems which had been largely unseen for years, and in trying to solve those problems, it became apparent that the small size of the Lompico Water District makes solutions unaffordable to any except our wealthiest residents.
Looking at possible answers led us to the conviction that dissolution of our district and annexation by SLVWD is the only viable option.
We didn’t start with that conviction, and some of us came to it reluctantly. It has been said that we have refused to consider other options; this is far from the truth. We have carefully examined every option; realizing that an idea does not solve the problem is not ignoring it.
We see it as our responsibility to bring to the voters in our district the facts as they are, so that we can all make an informed decision. Lompico voters need to know the alternative to Measure N: Financial disaster.
State law requires that a water district bring in enough revenue to meet the needs of the district, including sufficient staff, required maintenance and upkeep, and all the regular costs of running any enterprise. Lompico Water hasn’t met that requirement for a long time.
Because we have been working toward a merger, the state has been patient and supportive. If the merger process is abandoned, our district will need to meet state requirements, with no more waiting. Because of this, the LCWD Board has adopted a five-year budget covering necessary costs, without fat.
In order to meet this budget, our ready-to-serve charge would have to be raised by more than $100 per billing cycle, bringing our bills to more than $200 before we use any water.
Rate increases can be protested by ratepayers — a 50 percent-plus-one protest stops the increase. If this happens, the district will be in violation of state law, and the state will consider the community to have abandoned the district.
The next step is taking the district to court and asking that it be put into receivership, which means that a court-appointed official would set our rates, with no appeal.
At present, we pay more for our water than customers of any other district in the county. If we decide not to join SLVWD, we’ll pay more than we do now. If ratepayers refuse that increase, and we’re put into receivership, we’ll pay even more.
The choice is clear — no, the choice is stark: affordable water or financial disaster. It’s up to us.
To see what you would pay as a customer of SLVWD, visit tinyurl.com/Lompico and look for the latest rate comparison chart.
We urge a “yes” vote on Measure N.
– The Lompico County Water District Board of Directors includes Bill Smallman, Lois Henry, Rick Harrington, John Schneider, and Merrie Schaller.