Troubled Waters in Pringle Plan

Thanks for running Sherri Butterfield’s June 30 Voices piece, “What’s the Rush Behind Consolidating Water Agencies?”

Two members of Inter-Canyon League representing ratepayers of Santiago County Water District visited Sacramento recently to speak to Senate Local Government Committee staff members about AB2109. Several things were noticeable, the most striking being that no one knew where our district--or the Silverado-Modjeska areas it covers--is located. Each admitted they knew nothing about our water district. This underlines the principle that district users, not Sacramento politicians, should be making policy.

Curt Pringle’s cart-before-the-horse legislation, which mandates district consolidations without one shred of evidence proving cost savings or efficiency, runs counter to logic. His assertion that mega-districts offer greater accountability is absurd rhetoric. But the most onerous portion of the bill denies district citizens the right to determine upfront whether they want to participate in this consolidation at all. Yet, without voter consent, their districts are required to pay for the costs of consolidation studies.

Pringle’s bill applies law differently for those in unincorporated versus incorporated areas. For instance, the sole opportunity for unincorporated county residents to vote on this process comes through an unwieldy after-the-fact protest vote. The process is different and more evenhanded in cities. City water users are protected from fee increases for five years. No similar protection exists for unincorporated county residents.

AB2109 sets a date whereby Orange County LAFCO must approve the bill’s consolidation. If LAFCO fails to meet the deadline, the state withholds tax money from districts (read taxpayers). This measure is punitive against innocent parties. And where does this money go? No one knows.

Pringle’s bill is the peak of bad public policy, costs ratepayers money upfront, offers greater protection and voice to city residents, and is paternalistic to the core. AB2109 must be stopped.

SHERRY LEE MEDDICK

Silverado