On March 8, the AWA Board of Directors voted unanimously to change their Proposition 218 water rate protest procedure, claiming it will be easier for ratepayers to protest because the agency will provide a rate protest form. What the AWA's press "spin" did not state was that only their protest forms will be allowed, and no other form of ratepayer protest will be accepted. AWA's decision actually restricts ratepayers' rights to protest as provided for under Proposition 218. More...

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The Amador Water Agency is getting ready to raise your water rates. At a time when people are still struggling to make ends meet, the directors think you should be paying more for water. Ratepayers do not have to accept the higher rates and can stop the rate increase by protesting it. AWA says it needs more money to operate, but is it true? And how can we trust them when they can’t put together two financial reports in row that say the same thing?

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At the March 22 AWA board meeting, there were three topics related to water rates:

1. Annual Audit for Fiscal Year 2010-2011: After a short board discussion, the public pointed out accounting report discrepancies amounting to more than $600,000 in fund balances and around $150,000 in participation fees received for the year. The audit was not approved and staff and the auditor were directed to make the reports agree with each other.
2. Consolidated Systemwide Rate Study: The board reviewed a rate study that will put all AWA customers on the same water rate regardless of the system their water comes from. The study, which cost $120,000, recommends significant rate increases. This topic will be back for further discussion before ratepayers are notified of a rate increase.
3. Community Facilities District (CFD) to Pay for the Gravity Supply Line (GSL) on the Upcountry CAWP System: Pulled from the agenda because the material was not ready for discussion.

In the next month or two, we expect AWA to send water rate increase notices to ratepayers. RPA is currently gearing up to help ratepayers stop the unjustified increase. We’ll need volunteers to walk their neighborhoods collecting protest signatures. Donations for postage will reduce the need to walk door to door.

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