A Message from the General Manager
As General Manager of Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District, Improvement District No. 1 (“ID No. 1”), I would like to welcome you to our website which is intended to provide information about the Water District and its efforts to provide the highest quality water and service at the best value for our customers, useful tips about water use and other topics of interest.
Over the past 48 years, ID No.1 has provided water service to customers within and around the towns of Santa Ynez, Ballard, and Los Olivos, and to the City of Solvang. This same water service will continue into the future, with improvements, as ID No.1 has recently sponsored legislation that has been introduced by Assembly Member Pedro Nava as Assembly Bill 2686. The need for the legislation has been discussed over the past several months at ID No. 1’s Board meetings and in other public forums including the Santa Barbara Local Agency Formation Commission (“LAFCO”) and City of Solvang. The purpose of this message is to keep you informed by providing answers to some frequently asked questions about AB 2686.
What is AB 2686?
· AB 2686 would change ID No. 1’s underlying legal organization by amending the California Water Code to reorganize ID No. 1 into a new special district called the Santa Ynez Valley Water District (“SYVWD”).
Why was AB 2686 introduced?
· ID No. 1 began as a subsidiary district of the Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District (“Parent District”) with limited authority. Later, ID No. 1 was granted additional authority to act as a semi-independent water conservation district but still under the umbrella of the Parent District. In cooperation with the Parent District, AB 2686 would complete the evolution by making SYVWD a fully independent water district that will better meet the needs of its customers.
· AB 2686 would bring SYVWD within the jurisdiction of the Santa Barbara Local Agency Formation Commission, an agency that provides for the orderly provision of utility services by local public agencies.
What does AB 2686 do?
· AB 2686 builds upon and refines ID No. 1’s existing authority by better positioning SYVWD to meet its customer’s needs, primarily by providing water replenishment authority to recharge and maintain a healthy groundwater aquifer.
· The bill continues ID No. 1’s current authority to provide other water-related services, like storm water collection, water recycling and recreation, as appropriate, to meet the needs of its customers. ID No. 1 already has this authority although there has not been a need to exercise them to meet the needs of our customers.
Will AB 2686 affect ID No. 1’s customers?
· As a customer of ID No. 1, you will automatically become a customer of SYVWD.
· SYVWD will charge the same water rates as ID No. 1 and payments will be sent in to the same location and on the same schedule.
· SYVWD will provide the same services as ID No. 1 without any interruption.
· SYVWD’s territory will be the same as ID No. 1’s territory.
· SYVWD’s Board of Directors will be made up of the same people elected in the most recent election. Those Directors will carry out their term and then a new election will be held using the same voting procedures ID No. 1 has used in the past.
When would AB 2686 take affect?
· AB 2686 will go into effect January 1, 2009 after it is passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor.
· When 2686 is adopted, ID No. 1 will notify its customers to ensure a smooth transition to SYVWD.
Where can I get more info about AB 2686?
· Our customers are the District's most important asset; thus, we encourage comments and questions as the District staff works diligently to fulfill our mission. Please call to contact the District Office at (805) 688-6015 or e-mail your questions to support@syrwd.org. Thank you.
As always, our mission is to provide our customers with the highest level of quality water service while operating as a competitive business. That is a commitment on which our customers can depend year after year.
Chris Dahlstrom
General Manager
