Radical Changes in Water Billing
by Dale Tyler

On Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011, the Moulton Niguel Water District (MNWD) Board held a public hearing to consider adopting a completely new method of billing for water in that district, which serves 167,000 customers in parts of Mission Viejo and four other South County cities. There were about 50 ratepayers present. Of the approximately 20 who spoke, only two were in favor of the plan. The rest, including this author, spoke against the proposed plan.

At present, customers are billed on a sliding scale ranging from $1.16 for 748 gallons (1 BU) up to $1.97 per BU, depending on monthly usage. These rates will increase to $1.35/BU up to $2.29/BU on June 1, 2011. In addition, charges are made for sewage, and a basic $18.50 base charge is also assessed. Commercial customers and homeowner associations pay different rates. From 2009 through 2011, rates have been increased 16% each year for a 56% total increase in three years.

The new residential rates are based on the number of people who live in the residence and the size of the outside yard. Rates escalate from $1.38/BU up to $11.02/BU. The highest rate is triggered by going over your allotment by only 50%. Each person living in the residence is allowed to use 65 gallons per day before penalties are assessed. Detached residences are presumed to have four people living there, with condos given three and apartments given two people. An allowance is given for each square foot of outside yard that depends on the weather and time of year. Again, penalties are assessed for usage in excess of this allowance. One's water rate can go up to eight times the base rate if these limits are exceeded.

Essentially, the MNWD is proposing to take us from a simple system that modestly increases water rates for increased usage to a complex system that requires reporting of the number of people in each residence and changes to the number of square feet of outside yard. These changes are purportedly being made to encourage “efficiency” in water use. MNWD also states that these new rates are to be “revenue neutral,” meaning no increase or decrease of total revenue to MNWD. In this new system, they also claim “This new rate structure would reward efficiency and give customers the freedom to use their water budgets as they see fit.”

One clue as to MNWD's agenda is the use of the word “reward.” Until I attended the Feb. 23 meeting, I had thought that a utility like MNWD was there to supply water and charge enough money to cover the costs of supplying that commodity. However, it appears that they are interested in “social engineering” by telling us how much water we should use, based on our personal living arrangements. If you have a new child, send one off to college or have a relative or friend move into your residence, you are obligated to report that to MNWD, unless you want to risk suffering the 8x penalties for “wasteful” consumption. Similarly, if you expand or reduce the planted area in your yard, then you must inform MNWD or risk penalties. This sounds like “Liberal (Berkeley) solutions for conservative (Orange County) problems.” We don't need another nanny quasi-governmental agency telling us how to live.

There are other problems with the new MNWD proposed rates. As was mentioned earlier, they provide an allowance per square foot based on weather and time of year. Unfortunately, most of us use simple timer-based systems to irrigate our yards that know little about local temperature and sun exposure. Because of this, it will be easy to exceed our allowance and thus pay up to eight times our base rate. MNWD will collect these windfalls from those who fail to closely monitor their outside usage. They do claim they will divide their territory into 110 micro climate zones with the intention of accurately calculating the amount of water needed for plants in each of these areas. It remains to be seen if their measurements will do anything to predict water requirements on nearby properties with different sun exposures.

Another issue is that MNWD fails to correct the problem of new housing and other uses that overextend the amount of water MNWD imports from the Metropolitan Water District. MNWD gets a specific amount of water for a fixed price, subject to cost increases, and may buy more water at ever-increasing rates. New construction reduces the amount of water available to existing users. To offset this cost, MNWD should charge a “connection fee” of at least $20,000 per new unit so that MNWD can pay the higher cost of imported water for all of its customers for 30 years.

I do give credit to the seven-member MNWD Board, who, when faced with a very concerted opposition by ratepayers at the Feb. 23 meeting decided to postpone adopting the new rate plan. This is quite different from our Mission Viejo City Council, who simply ignore the voices of the citizens and who only listen to those who pay them bribes (campaign contributions).

The chairman of the MNWD Board seemed convinced that the opposition to this proposal was merely due to ignorance on the part of the public. MNWD is planning to have workshops where they explain the “advantages” of the new plan. I plan to attend and try and find the truth of why they really want to impose this new system.

If you want to express your concerns to MNWD, you may email the General Manager, Robert C. Gumerman at bgumerman@mnwd.com.

A copy of the MNWD proposal can be found here.

Non-government Events

Following is a sampling of events and activities that are not funded by taxpayers or promoted by the Nanny State. Please support private enterprise.

Movies, Edwards Kaleidoscope Stadium 10 in Mission Viejo, 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy, (949) 582-4020, get show times, watch movie trailers, see what's coming soon at
http://www.moviefone.com/theater/edwards-kaleidoscope-stadium-10/32/showtimes

“Rock of Ages,” March 1-6, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa. (714) 556-2787, http://scfta.org/home/Events/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1002

Champagne breakfast every Sunday morning at the Harbor Grill. From March 1-8 enjoy Mardi Gras flavors, 34499 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, (949) 240-1416, http://www.harborgrill.com

“Natives for Wildlife: Birds, Butterflies, Bats and Bees,” Use native plants to create habitat, March 5, 10 – 11 a.m., Tree of Life Nursery. 33201 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 728-0685, http://www.californianativeplants.com

“Modjeska, Woman Triumphant – A Documentary Film,” March 8, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Pauling Hall 216, Soka University, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4237, free, http://www.soka.edu/news_events/events/2011/03/modjeska---woman-triumphant---a-documentary-film.aspx

Farmers Market, Laguna Hills, Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Laguna Hills Mall, (714) 573-0374.

Farmers Market, San Juan Capistrano, Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Historic Town Center Park, (949) 493-4700

Orange Flea Market, March 12 and every second Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., free parking and free admission, 146 N. Grand Street (off Chapman just east of the circle), Orange, (714) 721-2257, http://www.oldtownfleamarket.com

Noel Coward’s “Private Lives,” March 15 – April 10, Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com

Renee Fleming, Soprano, Tues., April 5, 8 p.m., Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, (714) 556-2121, http://www.scfta.org/home/Events/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1132&NavID=132

Art Exhibit, “Reflections from the Garden,” Joseph Raffel, through April 15, open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Soka University, Founders Hall, First Floor, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4237, free, http://www.soka.edu/default.aspx

ACT for America Will Meet

The Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT for America will hold its general meeting on March 14. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., with orientation for first-time attendees beginning at 7:10. The meeting will begin at 7:30 and end at 9:30.

The featured speaker will be Dr. Georgy Gournev, educator, consultant and author. His topic will be defeating the worldwide jihad.

Dr. Gounev currently teaches comparative Russian and American history and international studies in Southern California. He is a political consultant and frequent speaker for conservative groups. He is also helping to organize an international project to establish contacts with Muslim political organizations in Europe that are opposed to Radical Islam.

Chapter Leader Bruce Mayall writes, “Dr. Gounev will speak for about 60 minutes. Then we will have about 30 minutes for questions and answers. Bring friends and come early to network.”

The group will meet at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo.

CUSD Update

In December the CUSD board restored two furlough days and in January adjusted the teachers’ pay reduction from 10.1 percent to 6.49 percent. These changes followed an adjustment in the adopted state budget, with CUSD receiving $13.5 million more than anticipated. In accordance with an agreement with the teachers union (Capistrano Unified Education Association) last spring, any restored funds first went to restoring instructional days and salaries. As reported in the Feb. 27 OC Register, county and state financial advisors said the timing of restoring pay and furlough days is bad with the district facing more cuts. http://www.ocregister.com/news/-109857-ocprint--.html

The school board will hold a special meeting to discuss the budget on Mar. 8, 6 p.m., at the district headquarters, 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano.

The district is ready to cut 347 temporary certificated CUSD employees to make ends meet. From the Feb. 17 Capistrano Dispatch, “District officials must plan their budget even before the state spending plan is in place. Statewide, school officials are working on two scenarios: If the Governor’s proposal to extend certain taxes moves forward, CUSD will see what Superintendent Joseph Farley calls ‘relatively minor’ cuts of $1 million. But if the tax-extension plan is rejected, CUSD cuts are expected to hit $17.5 million.”
http://capistranoinsider.typepad.com/beyond_the_blackboard

A reader nailed it with a reaction. The following post was added to the Feb. 17 Dispatch article: “If we can't live within our means, then we need to examine what is essential to education and go back to that. Superintendents have been told by Brown to propose extreme cuts to services to scare us into voting for taxes. Instead, let's go back to basics - English, math, science, history, foreign language, P.E., and maybe an art class or two. Cut everything else and rebuild it as we recover. Such luxuries as counselors, music programs, athletics, ASB, photography, Peer Advisement, Newspaper, etc., are expendable in dire times. … In fact, this is a time for us to redesign our schools instead of looking for any easy (i.e., tax) fix. Our government is addicted to taxes. Should we enable them? With your vote, ‘just say no’ to taxes.”

The Buzz

Because of rain and cold weather last week, Modjeska Animal Ranch Rescue postponed its fundraiser until Sat., March 5. Volunteers will have a garage sale in Mission Viejo from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The location is 26511 Via Gaviota, and the cross-streets are Los Alisos Blvd. and Trabuco. Drop off merchandise until Friday evening; donations are tax-deductible. Call (949) 380-4153, (949) 702-3670 or (949) 689-4969 for directions or questions.

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South Orange County Republican Assembly will meet on Thursday, March 10, in San Juan Capistrano. The location is Sarducci’s Capistrano Depot, 26701 Verdugo Street (right at the railroad station). From the announcement by SOCRA President Craig Alexander: “For those who wish to attend the dinner portion of the meeting, arrive anytime between 5:30 and 6:15 p.m. Those who attend the dinner will receive a 10-percent off discount for your entree.  The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m.  As usual, you do not need to attend the dinner to attend the meeting at 7:00 p.m.  We are honored to have as our guest speaker this month OCGOP 1st Vice Chairman Deborah Pauly. RSVP to SOCRA's membership secretary Denise Hickey at mdcthick@cox.net  or at (949) 395-1049.”

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Rumors have persisted for years that the OC Register and L.A. Times will merge. From the Times earlier this month, “The first step toward consolidation appears on the near horizon, as the company that owns the Orange County Register — Freedom Communications — has put the paper and its other newspapers and television stations up for auction, according to several people close to the situation. Leading contenders to buy the Register appear to be MediaNews, with nine dailies in the area, and the companies that own the L.A. Times and the Union-Tribune.” http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-onthemedia-20110205,0,7190710.column

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There was no regular meeting of the OC Board of Supervisors last week. The next board meeting will be held on Tues., March 1 at 9:30 a.m. The location is the Hearing Room,
First Floor, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana. Agendas are usually available on Wednesday morning before regular Tuesday meetings. Supplemental agendas are usually available on Friday afternoon. Agenda and meeting information can be found at http://www.ocgov.com/ocgov/Info%20OC/Departments%20&%20Agencies/Clerk%20of%20the%20Board/Board%20of%20Supervisors

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Would anyone like to buy an overpriced new condo with a view of Target’s parking lot near Los Alisos and Jeronimo? With a recent armed robbery down the street and the congregation of illegal immigrants on nearby corners, the oversize real estate signs contribute blight to the neighborhood. Approximately 575 foreclosed homes are on the market in Mission Viejo. In the same price range as the new condos, buyers have choices that include single-family homes in quiet neighborhoods.