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Victor Valley Water District Officials Consider Taking Over Counterpart

Posted on: Wednesday, 20 July 2005, 15:00 CDT

Jul. 19--VICTORVILLE -- While Victorville attempts to take over the Victor Valley Water District, some water officials are evaluating a novel option: Taking over the Baldy Mesa Water District.

VVWD's board of directors recently passed a unanimous resolution to oppose the efforts of the city, and part of that resolution dictated that the board examine every option available.

"The board has passed a resolution that among the scenarios that have to be looked at is taking over the Baldy Mesa district, but the preference is to keep things the way they are," VVWD President Terrie Gossard Flint said.

Flint added that her district is closely examining Victorville's water service plan, and if the Local Agency Formation Commission for San Bernardino County directed the water district to takeover Baldy Mesa's water agency, they would find a way to make it work -- despite Baldy Mesa Water District's $12 million debt.

VVWD President Terrie Gossard Flint says her district is closely examining Victorville's water service plan. "Last week, we made a presentation before LAFCO and pointed out the many deficiencies in the city's plan," Flint said. "Our main concern is that under the plan, the city is not considering new employees if LAFCO agreed with the city in the issue of takeover."

Victorville Mayor Mike Rothschild did not return calls Monday. City spokeswoman Yvonne Hester said employees of the water district -- who would become city employees in case the city's takeover is approved -- were being taken into consideration.

"The facts are in the service review (that has been submitted to LAFCO)," Hester said.

Under the plan presented by the city, consolidation and absorption of the districts by the city would save around $1 million annually. City Council has made a promise that every employee, excluding those considered contract employees, would keep their jobs.

VVWD General Manager Randy Hill, who would lose his job if the city's plan is successful, said the district is working on its own counter report that will be presented to LAFCO.

"You have to have a plan B. Our first choice is to remain independent, but we would also like to offer an alternative and present the counter report. It will be up to LAFCO to decide," Hill said.

LAFCO Executive Officer Kathleen Rollings-McDonald said the city's service-review plan is being circulated among LAFCO officials.

"Like in every process, we have some questions that will be forwarded to the city. We are still reviewing the plan, and it is not our place to say if there are deficiencies in the report," Rollings-McDonald said.

VVWD has until Sept. 15 to turn in a counter report to LAFCO.

Citizen group notakeover.info representative Dave Billings said he doubted Victorville could give customers better service than the existing district.

"The city just wants to have everything, and employees of the districts are afraid to speak against this because they fear for their jobs. But if this comes to a vote, the city will lose," Billing said.

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Copyright (c) 2005, Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: Daily Press - Victorville, California

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