The Calaveras County Water District is holding a Customer Assistance Program Board Workshop starting at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday  October 24 at the District Headquarters, 120 Toma Court, San Andreas. The Board encourages public input on the development of the program, which will be designed to provide financial assistance to customers who are most in need.

The development of this program stemmed from conversations District staff and Board members had with customers during the more than 30 community meetings that were held in advance of the five-year rate plan that was passed in May 2018. Staff spoke with retirees on fixed incomes, single parents, veterans and people who have experienced devastating life events who struggle to pay their water and sewer bills. The District promised these customers a framework for a Customer Assistance Program would be developed before the end of 2018.

Due to Proposition 218 restrictions, which prohibit one customer’s rates from being used to subsidize another’s, the District can only use non-rate revenues for this program. Eligible non-rate revenues that could be used to fund the program include property leases, hydro power and property taxes.

Although all non-rate revenues are currently committed, the District is on the lookout for a new funding source that could be used for this program. While the program may be modest at first, the District must be careful to ensure the funding source is sustainable over the long term.

This workshop is open to the public, and CCWD looks forward to community feedback on the design of this program.

For more information, contact CCWD Customer Service at  (209) 754-3453 or email customerservice@ccwd.org.