**
Dear Friends: 
Here is the link for the board package for our Regular Helix Water District Board Meeting: 

AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Wednesday, March 15, 2017, 6 PM
7811 University Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942-0427
 
INTERESTING ITEMS:
 
Item 5 b). (pdf page 23-25) Minutes

• As depicted in the minutes of the Special Meeting on March 8, 2017. The meeting was called to discuss lowering water rates. After a presentation by staff indicating any decrease in rates this year would only be countered with much higher rates the following year. However, there is a possible  anticipated 2.18M in revenue increase by the end of the year, but there are too many unknowns at this time. The end result was no rate decrease now, but this board wants to do a thorough 2017/18 Budget review process and evaluate corresponding water rates associated with the budget.   
  

 
Item 6. (pdf page 90) Partial Sale of Surplus Property on High Street

• The District owns 6.94 acres near the Quarry in La Mesa. Part of the property is the cliff area and the adjoining property owner would like to purchase that section approximately, 31,400 square feet ($9,734). The developer wishes to add this area to their residential development for the purpose of stabilizing the slope to protect his development. An appraisal of the district’s larger parcel revealed that the larger parcel is worth just as much without the subject strip of land as it is with it. This is a testament to its steep and rugged terrain, which tenders it useless.

 ____________________
 
Please JOIN ME on a TOUR of our Helix Water District RM Levy Water Treatment Plant! Rare open to the public event!
Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 8:30am. You’ll see each step of the treatment process, from the control room to the chemistry lab to the ozonation facility. The tour is the next session of Helix Water Talks, our new series tours and discussions to give customers an inside look at how we provide a safe and reliable water supply – from the science and engineering to the policies and operations.
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED
Reserve up to two spots on the tour at hwd.com/events/helix-water-talks/.
 ___________________________
 
PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!
2017 San Diego Chapter of California Special Districts Association Video Contest.  Four winners will receive $1000 for the student(s) and $500 to school. Go to the website for all the information and help me spread the word. www.SanDiegoCSDA.weebly.com
 
As always, I welcome your comments and feedback. 
 
Per the request of the Helix Water District Board on May 16, 2012, the following language is to be added by all Board Directors in all outgoing Director correspondence. "This correspondence, and any documents attached hereto, reflects the individual opinions and positions of the above-named Director and does not represent the opinions or positions of the District's Board of Directors or the District.  Pursuant to Section 9.1-11(A) of the Helix Water District Policies and Procedures Manual, individual Directors, except as otherwise authorized by the Board, shall have no power to act for the District or the District's Board of Directors."
 
**Please note no public funds or resources were used for the distribution of this email...
***If you want to be removed from my list…let me know! J
****If this email was forwarded to you and you want to be added to my list…let me know!
*****Transparency, don’t just say it – do it!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

**
Dear Friends:
Here is the link for the board package for our Special Helix Water District Board Meeting: 
AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Wednesday, March 8, 2017, 6 PM
7811 University Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942-0427
 
As requested by the Director McMillan and supported by the Board at our February 15th board meeting, this meeting was scheduled to discuss the possibility of a water rate decrease.
 
From page 5 - Detailed review of costs, staffing and revenue:
 
District staff reviewed revenue, operating and capital expenditures through February 2017 to estimate where they might end the fiscal year versus budget. As a result of that work, staff was able to estimate that the district could potentially end fiscal year 2016-17 with $2.1 million higher operating reserve than budgeted. The main driver of this amount is from a $1 million savings in the water purchases budget resulting from local runoff received and captured from local rains. The remaining  amounts come from higher other revenue of $0.5 million, higher than anticipated capacity fees of $0.4 million and lower operating costs totaling $0.3 million. The district is also at $0.3 million higher in water billings versus budget through March 2017, however, given the high level of winter rains and considering February 2017 ended the month 24 percent below budget on water billings, staff is hesitant to assume that the district will end the fiscal year higher than budgeted water billings.
 
The report continues on and shows graphs of a decrease of 2% and 5% how that would affect our future water rates (I am unsure if they consider the $2.1 million reserve increase in the graphs). The graph shows an out of cycle rate change, would simply follow with a larger rate increase the following year.
 
The conclusion is stated on page 15, which results in suggestion on any rate changes to wait till the next 2017-18 budget development.
 
Should be an interesting Board discussion.
 _____ 

Here is an article in the East County Magazine regarding the meeting for Wednesday:
HELIX WATER BOARD STAFF ADVISES AGAINST LOWERING RATES: MEETING MARCH 8
East County Magazine
March 6, 2017 (La Mesa) – Helix Water District's board will hold a special meeting on March 8 at 6 p.m. to consider a proposal by newly elected board ...
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Here is an interesting general article on water rates.
 Nearly 14 million U.S. households struggle to afford water services & number is growing. Americas Hidden Water Affordability Crisis
_____

Please JOIN ME on a TOUR of our Helix Water District RM Levy Water Treatment Plant! Rare open to the public event!
Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 8:30am. You’ll see each step of the treatment process, from the control room to the chemistry lab to the ozonation facility. The tour is the next session of Helix Water Talks, our new series tours and discussions to give customers an inside look at how we provide a safe and reliable water supply – from the science and engineering to the policies and operations.
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED
Reserve up to two spots on the tour at hwd.com/events/helix-water-talks/.
 _____
 
PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!
2017 San Diego Chapter of California Special Districts Association Video Contest.  Four winners will receive $1000 for the student(s) and $500 to school. Go to the website for all the information and help me spread the word. www.SanDiegoCSDA.weebly.com
 
As always, I welcome your comments and feedback. 

Per the request of the Helix Water District Board on May 16, 2012, the following language is to be added by all Board Directors in all outgoing Director correspondence. "This correspondence, and any documents attached hereto, reflects the individual opinions and positions of the above-named Director and does not represent the opinions or positions of the District's Board of Directors or the District.  Pursuant to Section 9.1-11(A) of the Helix Water District Policies and Procedures Manual, individual Directors, except as otherwise authorized by the Board, shall have no power to act for the District or the District's Board of Directors."
 
**Please note no public funds or resources were used for the distribution of this email...
***If you want to be removed from my list…let me know! J
****If this email was forwarded to you and you want to be added to my list…let me know!
*****Transparency, don’t just say it – do it!