Bighorn

This has been a good year so far for the people of Landers.  Congratulations are due to all of our leaders and particularly the Board of Directors and General Manager of Big Horn Desert View Water Agency.  Their leadership has resulted in the annexation of county run water agency, W1, who dictated unsupported water rate increases upon our neighbors in Landers over the last few years.  Local control has been the strength of Bighorn water and now all of Landers is stronger because our board undertook this challenge.

As the celebrating subsides, the united people of our water agency need to be alert and refuse to let down our guard.  Success can be the occasion to grab increased levels of power from the people who should make local control happen.  Flares are already rising from the actions taken by the board in the last few months and the proposed future agency budgetary projections.  The question every customer of Bighorn needs to ask is who are we?  Is community unity of purpose an excuse to chase after the doings of the larger water agencies?  We are Landers folk.

Board of Directors, just tell us why water rates will be rising after this year, 2015-2016.  The projection makes little sense when in the current year, 2014-2015, spending is said to be 10% under budget (Director McBride @ 5-26 board meeting).  New spending has already been enacted, a little here, a little there, these are not huge changes nor are they unreasonable if we want to be just like the big boys.  Most worrisome to this customer is the spending changes that are in the works.

Bighorn Desert View Water Agency Board, how do you understand the projected rate increase or increases?  Even if this customer of yours is a lone voice, I am asking for an explanation.  Please find a way to include us in your planning.

Thank you for the opportunity to address my concerns, something that is now possible for all the folk of Landers.

G,Goslaw

W 1 Water

Mr. Michael Wildes
Principle Budget Officer
Special Districts Department
San Bernardino County

Thank you Mr. Wildes for the prompt response, however, it appears inadequate and does not address my concern.  Budgets are not spending, my information request is for spending transparency.  Your response seems to give credibility to the rumors.  What is your bank balance now in relation to the June 13 audit?  What spending occurred to this date?  Don’t you do monthly reporting of some sort?  Annual audits are not the whole story.

My W1 neighbors have long believed that you have not given them a fair shake and believe the recent rate increase makes you even more accountable on the spending side.  What spending have you sanctioned since you became aware of a possible annexation?  My concern will not be brushed aside as easily as you would hope.  Please explain as originally requested on October 9.

Glen Goslaw

Landers, Ca.