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South Bay Water directors flag Water Conservation Garden JPA uncertainty, warn County Water Authority rate increases could strain finances
Summary
At its Feb. 12 meeting the South Bay Water Board heard that the City of San Diego is poised to leave the Water Conservation Garden joint powers agreement, and directors warned rising San Diego County Water Authority rates could hamper the agency’s ability to bond for infrastructure needs such as PFAS treatment.
The South Bay Water Board of Directors discussed potential changes to the Water Conservation Garden joint powers agreement and concerns about rising San Diego County Water Authority rates at its Feb. 12, 2025, meeting.
The discussion matters because board members said if the City of San Diego does not renew participation in the JPA, remaining members would be expected under the current agreement to absorb costs. Directors said that could reduce the district’s borrowing capacity for infrastructure projects, including PFAS mitigation, at a time when such work is expected to be costly.
A director reported that at a Jan. 28 meeting of the Water Conservation Garden JPA the City of San Diego indicated it would not renew. The director said San Diego State University (the college referenced in the meeting) has told JPA members it would need about two years to assume operation; anything less, the director said, could force the facility to close. The board did not take formal action at the Feb. 12 meeting on the JPA item; the remarks occurred during the directors’ reports portion of the agenda.
Board members described outreach that has already taken place. The director said the board or its president had sent a letter expressing shared concern with the San Diego City Council about potential “double-digit” rate increases at the San Diego County Water Authority and the effect of those increases on South Bay Water’s ability to bond at reasonable rates. The director said they had discussed the matter with Matt Espy, identified in the meeting as San Diego’s chief financial officer, and referenced Nick Serrano as the County Water Authority’s new chair.
Directors said they plan to seek more information before taking further action. One director said they will request that County Water Authority management make a presentation to the full South Bay Water board so members can hear directly about proposed rate changes and their expected impacts on member agencies and ratepayers. That request was described as a forthcoming item the director expected to ask staff to agendize rather than as a formal board directive recorded in the minutes.
Board members emphasized the local context for concern, noting the district’s ratepayers and capital needs. No public comments were received on this item during the meeting.
The board did not adopt any binding policy or vote on the JPA or a formal request to County Water Authority staff at the Feb. 12 meeting; members said they would bring the matter back for a future agenda so the full board could hear from County Water Authority management and consider next steps.
