Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Rainbow Water's "update" slanted

I am a RMWD water customer who received an “update” from RMWD entitled “Fallbrook PUD Files Application to Dissolve Rainbow,” in which Rainbow urges its customers to oppose the FPUD application.

In it, RMWD admits significant operating efficiencies are possible through a merger or the formation of a JPA (Joint Powers Agreement), and in fact real cost savings have been realized over the past year study period.

According to the update, the “sticking point” came when the two boards could not agree on how the new merged board would be elected.

I compared information in the update with similar data reported in a recent Village News article on this topic.

• RMWD update said operating efficiencies are possible. Village News reported RMWD’s share of savings during the one-year trial period were $800,000, equivalent to nearly $50 for each of Rainbow’s customers.

• RMWD update claims that dissolution of this proposed merger was caused because FPUD’s board is elected at large, and RMWD’s board is elected by divisions within their district, which is beneficial to the “needs and priorities of the residential and agricultural customers.”

The update doesn’t mention a compromise proposed by FPUD (also in the Village News) whereby four board members would be elected by divisions within the new district and three elected at large.

RMWD stands to save $2,000,000 each year, but chooses not to. That’s over $100 for each customer, so their petty little fiefdoms can continue.

Did you get your share of the $800,000 already saved? Me neither.

Dan Collins

 

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