Resolution 2996-15 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2996-15
2 A RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
3 IN OPPOSITION TO A PUBLIC GOODS CHARGE ON WATER
4 WHEREAS, the South Tahoe Public Utility District ("District") is engaged in the
5 production, treatment and distrib�tion of water to its customers; and,
6 WHEREAS, proposals to impose a public goods charge or similar permanent
7 statewide tax on water could emerge in the near future; and,
g WHEREAS, a public goods charge or other permanent tax on water bills is not the
9 appropriate mechanism to fund water solutions or address water quality and water
10 supply problems faced by some disadvantaged communities; and
WHEREAS assessing a public goods charge would unfairly penalize local water
11
agencies that have already made, and continue to make, investments in water
12
management programs and infrastructure and would make it more difficult and costly
13 for local water agencies to fund critical local water efficiency and supply projects; and,
14 WHEREAS, according to a recent report by the Public Policy Institute of California,
15 local water agencies are spending more than $25 billion a year on local water-related
16 programs, projects and infrastructure, and those investments have prepared them to
�7 respond to the current drought and have shielded the state's economy from the
�g drought's most severe impacts over the past four years; and,
�9 WHEREAS, while there is a clear need to fund sensible long-term solutions and
20 assist disadvantaged communities that do not have safe drinking water, a tax on water
bills paid by a subset of Californians is not the solution; and,
21
WHEREAS, local water managers are best suited to identify ways to spend locally-
22
generated revenues at their respective agencies; an additional tax on water bilis paid
23 in order to send money to Sacramento, where a portion will be carved out to fund
24 another layer of administration, is not efficient and is not an appropriate solution or
25 sound policy;
26 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
27 1. South Tahoe Public Utility District opposes any effort by the state Legislature to
28 impose a statewide public goods charge or other tax on water bills; and,
29 2. South Tahoe Public Utility District opposes the use of the budget trailer bill
30 process or other last-minute attempt to circumvent the appropriate
� 3. legislative policy committee process to advance policy issues without full
2 disclosure and transparency; and,
4. A copy of this Resolution shall be sent to our state legislative representatives
3
and key members of the Administration.
4
5 WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing
6 Resolution was duly adopted and passed by the Board of Directors of the South Tahoe
7 Public Utility District at a regularly scheduled meeting held on the 3�d day of September,
8 2015, by the following vote:
9
10
11
AYES: Cefalu, Jones, Vogelgesang, Sheehan, Wallace
12
13 None
NOES:
14
15 ABSENT: None
16 � _�—��---
�.�
17 ��/
�$ Randy Vogelgesang, Board President
South Tahoe Public Utility District
19
20
2� ATTEST:
22 �—��'U'X.�'12[� �-��
23 Melonie Guttry, Clerk of t Board
24
25
26
27
28
29 Resolution No.2996-15
Page 2
30 September 3,2015