A Gonzo Account

of the 

Sub-Committee on Tiered Water Rates (Conservation Pricing)

of the

BWD’s ad hoc Committee to Study Groundwater Conservation

Meeting on

Wednesday the 18th of January 2006

Members of the sub-committee present were: Russ Fogarty, Eleanor Shimeall, Joan Rosen, Connie Smith, Beth Hart, Rudy Monica, Dennis Dickinson, Dick Walker

Mr. Fogarty provided updated information about water use by category of user, i.e., residential, commercial, and irrigation, that included data from FY 2005 not previously available. There was some discussion of the new figures and requests for explanation or clarification on some points, but in general the data was clear and well accepted by the group.

There was a discussion of the unintended consequences of implementing the proposed rate schedule, e.g., on Christmas Circle; but no consensus on what, if anything, could/should be done. There was, however, strong agreement that a recommendation should go to the BWD Board for action at their next meeting on January 25. The Christmas Circle matter was regarded as a special case that could be handled after the plan is presented to the Board and, and in the best of all worlds, passed on the 25th. If the sub-committee’s recommendation is passed by the board, there will be a presentation on the new rates at the Annual Groundwater Meeting in February. If all goes well, the plan will be implemented at the beginning of the BWD’s fiscal year on 1 July 2006.

The rate structure put forward by Mr. Forgarty was adopted by consensus and without objection. Mrs. Shimeall will present it to the BWD Board for action at its meeting on 25 January. There will be an informal meeting of those interested in discussing a solution to the long standing problem of paying for water to maintain Christmas Circle following the January Board meeting. The exact place and time will be announced at the Board meeting?

Having concluded its assignment, the Sub-Committee On Tiered Water Rates of the ad hoc Committee On Conservation should have dissolved after this meeting on 18 Jan. There was, however, no mention of the fate of the sub- committee at the meeting.

Submitted by your humble scribe

Upcoming Meetings

The following meetings are all held at the BWD Office beginning at 9:00 a.m. unless otherwise noted.

Sub-Committee On Tiered Water Rates of the ad hoc Committee On Conservation concluded its assignment at and dissolved after its meeting on 18 Jan. (I think).

                    25 Jan. Monthly Board Meeting

22 Feb. Monthly Board Meeting. Annual Groundwater Meeting 6:00 p.m. at the Borrego Performing Arts Center

TBA ad hoc Committee On New Development/Preservation

TBA ad hoc Committee On Conservation

                    TBA ad hoc Committee On Groundwater Management