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Resident raises concerns about Paso Basin JPA budget and proposed well-owner fees
Summary
A resident urged the council to convene a public GSA meeting after a newly formed Paso Basin Joint Powers Authority approved a preliminary $3.2 million average annual budget and a draft rate study; resident said local GSAs had not held public hearings on the budget or rate study.
A Templeton resident and water-rights stakeholder raised concerns during general public comment about recent actions by the newly formed Paso Basin Joint Powers Authority (JPA), saying the JPA approved a preliminary budget that averages $3.2 million per year and a five-year total of $16.5 million and has released a draft rate study that could impose fees on well owners.
Murr Powell identified himself as a Templeton resident and vice-chair of an organization (TAG) and told the council the JPA held meetings on May 22 and May 28 where budget numbers were discussed and a draft rate study presented. He said the JPA expects a protest or fee vote affecting well owners and that some GSAs that are JPA members had not held public meetings for their own GSAs to review and accept the JPA budget and study. “For reasons I don't understand,” Powell said, “they seem to think that they have full authority just to vote and approve these things without them going through each of your own individual GSAs.” He urged the City Council to convene its GSA meeting so well owners in the basin could review the draft budget and rate study.
Mayor John Hammond asked the resident to contact Christopher Lachl (utilities manager) for more direct information and follow-up; staff said utilities management can provide more detail to the resident. No council action was taken; the comment was entered into the record.
