Resident presses county to review Clearwater Improvement District billing; commissioner says attorney has investigated

A resident with long involvement in the Clearwater Improvement and Service District urged the Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners on June 3 to require the district’s board and operator to follow state statute on assessments and approval of improvements, and to review alleged overbilling.

"The statute does state that the county commission, is, to review the billing process to make sure that it's accurate, and, then, it, can then be, presented to the people," the resident, identified in the meeting transcript as Mr. Splendt, told commissioners. He said the district is inflating charges: "We're charged, about a buck and a half, hundred cubic feet by the Joint Powers Water Board. That's then inflated to $2 a hundred cubic feet by the board."

Splendt recounted decades of involvement, alleging historical thefts and that some improvements were undertaken without the landowners’ statutory approval. He asked the board to have the county attorney and the commission require the district board to act within the law, and urged a return to transparent billing aligned to what the district actually is charged.

Chairman West interrupted to note the county has already looked into the matter: "The sheriff's office did investigate this, just so you know, back when it was originally brought to their attention. And since you were here last, we have looked into it. First, we need some contact information for you so we can get a hold of you. Mhmm. But our attorney's office has looked into it." West also told Splendt that the county found a recent meeting in April in which the district had rescinded some prior resolutions related to fees and said staff would arrange a follow-up meeting.

Splendt asked the board to schedule him as a regular agenda item so he could present details in more than the three-minute public-comment period; commissioners offered to meet with him and collect contact information and documentation so the attorney’s office can continue its review.

The commission did not take formal action at the June 3 meeting; staff said they will obtain Splendt’s contact information and follow up. Commissioners and staff indicated any further action — including formal findings or requirements for the district — would be taken after the county attorney’s office completes its review and staff presents recommended next steps.