Montecito Water District Supports Approval of State Water Project Contract Amendments WITHOUT County’s Conditions

Montecito Water District has provided a letter of request to Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors for consideration at their upcoming hearing on Tuesday of next week: February 2, 2021.  The request is that the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors authorize the Santa Barbara County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to execute State Water Project Contract Amendment No. 20 and Amendment No. 21 without conditions.

Key points:

  1. The County is the official holder of the State Water Project Contract and is considering actions which could have negative impacts on water purveyors and their customers.
  2. The County is proposing a “revenue sharing and water sales agreement” that would impose a new fee on transfers of State Water Project water held by water entities in the County, including Montecito Water District, thereby increasing costs for customers.

We are working very hard to meet our customer’s needs in the most reasonably priced way possible,” stated Board member Brian Goebel at Montecito Water District’s Board meeting earlier this week. “The County’s suggestions stand directly in the way of this and are contrary to our customers’ best interest. Our position is that this is bad for our customers and our rates, and we think the public needs to understand that in advance of the upcoming meeting.

For the complete letter which has been formally submitted please click here.

For the County Meeting Agenda Web Site with additional letters of comment please click here.

Montecito Water District’s mission is to provide an adequate and reliable supply of high quality water to the residents of Montecito and Summerland, at the most reasonable cost. In carrying out this mission, the District places particular emphasis on providing outstanding customer service, conducting its operations in an environmentally sensitive manner, and working cooperatively with other agencies. For additional information visit montecitowater.com, like Montecito Water District on Facebook, and follow on twitter @MontecitoWater.