REMEMBER US

  July – Oct 2023 SLVWD Finance Committee and Board develops financial model of money needed via Cost of Service and Rate Study with Consultant Raftelis. 

  Nov 2024 Finance Committee recommends 1 of 7 rate structure models from Consultant to meet same revenue goal, in a range of fixed and tiered rates.

  Dec 5 2023 Board of Directors follows recommendation and instructs staff to proceed with Proposition 218 notice and open the 45-day Public Comment period.                             

  Dec 31 2023   218 Notice is sent to SLVWD customers, initiates  start of 45-day public comment and protest period on January 1 2024. 

  Jan 20 2024 District PR open house informational on the rate increase at the Senior Center, Highlands Park. Protest Ballot table set up outside by those opposed. 

   February 15 Board of Directors meeting with Public Comment period ending; many come to speak about inequitable rate structure and have written letters to the board. Protest ballots are counted and found to be below 50% + 1 threshold.   Board votes to impose rate increase as is.

  March 1  April 1 A rate increase goes into effect March 1st but water charges won’t begin until April 1st in the new billing cycle. The heaviest burden is on low water users.  Mid-March to end of April A grassroots citizen’s initiative measure group is formed, files and gathers signatures on petitions for an equitable rate structure, affordable rates for low water users and support conservation by limiting fixed charges.    May Petition signatures are turned into the County by end of April to meet deadline for November ballot.  Customers are just beginning to see increased water bills in May.  

   June 6 The Initiative qualifies and is presented to the board by the County Clerk.  

   June 13   The water board agenda offers a choice to adopt the Measure or put it to November ballot for vote. The board weighs costs of adopting now or waiting for the vote and the Finance Director recommends volumetric rate adjustment to recover revenue. The board decides to put it voters.  August Arguments for and against are filed. A third party opposition writes arguments against and forms  an anti-Measure U campaign. The title and question are chosen by the County. The water district’s attorney writes the required impartial analysis.  Those for Measure U launch a website slvh2o.org with measure text and info.

 September 26 Voter guides mailed  

 October 6 Mail-in ballots sent out Nov 5  Vote YES on  Measure U! Election day   

 Don't keep it to yourself, let folks know.