One way that the Crescenta Valley Water District board can make the idea of higher rates more palatable is by making the rates as fair as possible. The current tiered water rate structure is unfair to large families or people with large properties, because all household and property sizes are considered equal. The city of Los Angeles tiers their rates based on lot size, temperature zone and household size. The Crescenta Valley Water District should do the same.
Another way is to go through the budget with a very fine-toothed comb. Having read the district’s budgets the last few years, there probably aren’t many large items that can be cut or reduced. However, this year, with the addition of new directors with fresh eyes, they may find things that have been overlooked in the past.
It’s important to show customers that the district is tightening its belt, as so many of us have had to do recently. With all the complex challenges the board will need to address, it’s again time for a change.
