NCT WATER: SD County Water Authority ponders subsidy for desal plant

The San Diego County Water Authority is considering a subsidy to help Poseidon Resources Corp. build its proposed desalination plant, water authority Chairman Bud Lewis said Friday.

The subsidy, which would flow to water districts that have agreed to buy from Poseidon, would replace a subsidy promised by Metropolitan Water District, Southern California's main wholesaler...

At this week's council meeting many public speakers came to warn the council against allowing Carltas development company to "defer" repayment of their tax advance.

After the public speakers, the council took a break and went into the backroom. They came out, discussed the issue, and all voted to not allow the payment to be deferred and enter into to negotiations with Carltas. Here is what Carltas had to say about the issue.

Here is what Bill Dean, the president of ERGA had to say about the issue.

Several weeks before, Mayor Dalager put this issue on the consent calendar for approval without public discussion. Former council member Cameron spoke to the issue and pointed out a large number of questions that were not addressed by the city and it was clear to many that her questions kept the City from approving the deferment. The consent calendar is for items that are considered housekeeping and no brainers.

For more on the misuse of the consent calendar.

Link to some of the related documents.

VoSD How Your Water Rates Subsidize Golf
San Diego - In the last four years, the price of water for almost every customer in San Diego has exploded. Scarcity and new construction projects have fueled constant rate increases and higher bills.

But one class of customers has escaped the rate hikes unscathed: The 475 businesses, homeowners associations, golf courses and public agencies that buy reclaimed water from the city.

In Encinitas one of the San Dieguito Water District's largest customers is a for-profit public-private partnership (Encinitas Ranch Golf Authority).

LATimes reports, Calpers is poised to ask cities and schools for more money to fill the pension hole.

One quote is revealing:

After weighing those factors, CalPERS actuaries concluded that it would be all right for the fund to go ahead with the hike because it wouldn't overly affect the state's general fund. The general fund, currently at $86 billion, pays for major state programs, including health and welfare, education and public safety.

A question California residents should be asking, why aren't Calper's financial gurus basing the contribution request on how much is needed to fund the pension pot, NOT how much can be squeezed out of state budget? If the budget were flush would they be admitting that the pension pot needs way more money in it to remain solvent?

Read the article here.

SUNANA BATRA --

Before Encinitas Union School District trustees consider on June 29 whether to place a 30-year, $44 million bond measure on the November ballot, taxpayers must require the list of "specific needs" and "precise costs" for this loan that the district is asking taxpayers to bankroll.

After viewing how the board and superintendent operate June 1, I am sounding the alarm to fellow Encinitas residents: These folks have a completely half-baked plan to continue reaping taxes from us and throwing that money at projects without determining the district’s true needs. MORE.

And from a blog reader:

Get this; when [Batra] from NCT asked under public questioning
what the $44 million is for, the Superintendent told her; we'll try
and have the language ready by next month, less than 90 days before the election.

If you know the number is $44 mil, then you know in detail what you
need the $44 for...don't you?

If you do know, why aren't you telling the public and the parents what
the money is for?

In a 3-1 (Barth) vote last year, the Encinitas City Council rehired Austin-Foust to do the city's general plan update traffic study. Austin-Foust was the consulting company that shepherded the city's last traffic study, which was never considered acceptable by the city council or traffic commission.

Last night, the traffic consultant spoke regarding making policy decisions to allow for the reduction in our traffic infrastructure level of service and adding roundabouts to Rancho Santa Fe road in Olivenhain. Otherwise, their lecture was pretty shallow on details.

See Also: TLB Council Meeting Report.