The Calaveras County Water District is holding a community workshop from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday September 27, 2018, at the District Headquarters (120 Toma Court, San Andreas) to receive public input on the development of a Customer Assistance Program, which will be designed to provide financial assistance to customers who are most in need.

The development of this program stemmed from conversations we had with our customers during the more than 30 community meetings we held in advance of the five-year rate plan that was passed in May 2017. We spoke with retirees on fixed incomes, single parents, veterans and people who experienced devastating life events who struggle to pay their water and sewer bills. We promised these customers we would develop the framework for a Customer Assistance Program before the end of 2018.

The program does not currently have dedicated funding, but the District is actively looking for a funding source that is sustainable. This could be revenue from a cell tower lease on one of the District’s properties, or the Board of Directors could choose to commit hydropower or property tax revenue to fund the program. However, the Board is not allowed to use water and sewer rate revenues for the Customer Assistance Program, because it would be a Proposition 218 violation.

If the District is able to locate an appropriate funding source, the Board will have the option of launching this new program. While the program may be modest at first, the goal is to provide assistance to those customers who need it most.

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

For more information, contact Joel Metzger at (209) 754-3123 or joelm@ccwd.org.