Yorba
Linda's elected leaders label many of their decisions “win-win”
for the community, but neither City Council members nor water
district directors are placing that tag on water-use changes
resulting from the state's long-term drought.
In fact,
there's never been a situation more “lose-lose” than the upcoming
rate hike decision facing the Yorba Linda Water District directors,
slated for a Sept. 17 meeting at 6:30 p.m. at district offices, 1717
E. Miraloma Ave., Placentia.
To
recoup revenue lost because residents are using 36 percent less
water, directors plan to raise the “basic service charge” that
varies based on meter size.
More
than 80 percent of residential ratepayers have one-inch meters, with
the current $16.77 monthly charge increasing to $41.57. About 15
percent have three-quarter- or five-eighth-inch meters, with the
$10.06 charge rising to $26.29.
Ratepayers
irrigating with two-inch meters, including the city, schools and some
homeowner associations, will see a boost from $53.66 to $125.61, and
the fewer one and one-half-inch meters will jump from $33.54 to
$79.77.
While
directors are only setting one increase to start this year, opponents
see bigger boosts in future years, which will occur if more state
restrictions are imposed or if the district's water and energy
suppliers raise prices.
Already
the district is drawing the maximum allowed 70 percent of its water
supplies from the groundwater basin managed by the Orange County
Water District. Groundwater is two-thirds cheaper than imported
water.
Increases
can be defeated if a majority of about 24,000 ratepayers file written
protests before the close of Sept. 17's public hearing. Protests must
include an address or parcel number and be signed by the property
owner. Verification of a large number of protests could take some
time, with results not available at the meeting.
Some
directors are upset over statements they've hiked their own salaries,
but their last raise was in 2003, when stipends were set at $150 per
meeting, with a maximum of 10 per month.
Employee
increases, officials say, were negotiated before the mandated cuts.
They note pay is “lower than the norm in the industry in Orange
County,” adding, “We are having trouble retaining our experienced
staff as they quickly gain experience and leave for other agencies.”
Directors
also receive from $8,963 to $15,124 in medical, vision and dental
benefits, except Phil Hawkins, who recently dropped his coverage.
Mike Beverage, in office since 1992, receives a CalPERS pension
contribution, $1,560 for 2014, according to the district's public
information officer.
Sadly,
nobody sees this as “win-win” – water officials say the
increases are “tied to the penny to the 36 percent reduction,”
and, if not implemented, district solvency is “questionable.”
And based on recent statements from state officials, the 36 percent
cut looks to be permanent.