In the summer of 2000, the CCSD sent out an advisory ballot to gauge community support for a desalination project. This “ballot” has received a lot of attention as current Cambria residents continue to “cause trouble”. Greg Sanders stated at the last meeting that it was absolutely an advisory ballot and he would not want anyone to think he was putting it forward as anything else. According to the ballot itself, it was an “informal polling of the community to assist the Cambria Community Services District in understanding the sentiment of those returning the ballot.”
The survey had one question and included a fiscal analysis – though the source of that information isn’t clear.
The instructions are reprinted below:
HOW TO COMPLETE THE DESALINATION ADVISORY SURVEY BALLOT
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This is an Advisory Survey Ballot. This is NOT an official election pursuant to the Elections Code. It is an informal polling of the community to assist the Cambria Community Services District in understanding the general sentiment of those returning the Survey Ballot. The results of the Survey Ballot are not binding or controlling on the Cambria Community Services District.
To make your opinion known, you must complete the enclosed Survey Ballot. Please mail it in the enclosed postage-paid Return Envelope. If you wish to hand deliver your Survey Ballot, drop it off in the Return Envelope at the Cambria Community Services District, 1316 Tamson Drive, Cambria, CA.
Please note: All Survey Ballots must be received-via mail or hand delivery-by the CCSD in the signed Return Envelope no later than 5:00 p.m., August 25, 2000.
The ballot itself had a tear-off stub for each voter to keep and said:
ADVISORY VOTE ONLY
Should the Cambria Community Services District construct and operate a seawater desalination plant redesigned as of 4/24/2000 to provide a reliable backup water supply during dry seasons and droughts?
YES
NO
FISCAL IMPACT ANALYSIS
The project consultant estimates the combined cost of construction, permitting, construction management, and financing for the desalination project to be $10.3 million. The consultant projects an increase of water rates of 11 percent’ after the plant is built to partially cover construction and operation costs. Waiting list customers will pay a capacity fee per hookup to cover their share of plant construction costs. The remaining cost of plant construction is proposed to be covered by grant monies and low-interest loans. The consultant expects the plant to provide a reliable backup water supply for existing and waiting list customers, although water restrictions may still be necessary in very dry years. Additional information on the desalination project is available at the Cambria Library and CCSD offices.
I don’t know the date of the mailing, though it probably isn’t too hard to find that information.
Click Here to download and view one resident’s copy of the ballot.
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Last 5 posts by Amanda Rice
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What was the outcome of this sample voting?
This is a very basic question that needs to be answered as all current CCSD Board members think they have a green light to build this Plant. Even if the Coastal Commission says no to building this Plant in the selected location our Board will litigate us out of our homes spending money on lawyers just like they did with the storage tank dispute, what was it, $475,000 on out-of-town lawyers.
I just hope it is a election question this November so this repeating waste of our money will stop.
My husband and i were in attendance last night when the 2000 “advisory” ballot was discussed. A question came to me today about that process. Times have changed since 2000 and maybe there should be another “advisory” ballot taken. Could give us a more timely read on the direction the
village wants to go. The monies spent spinning wheels (it appeared ) is incredible.
And did i hear right? Was an employee of CCSD recently “given” a water meter ?? Really?
Thank you for your work on this site, a needed addition to information in Cambria.
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Yes a water meter was given to the staff attorneynot on consulting fees, Art Montandan and I understand he sold it. Director Challodot admiited under questioning by a resident that it was an illgeallly issued meter under the moratorium.Our GM receives a housing allowance. I have no idea what a fair salary is for a GM in such a small district but I would sure like to know if she is over paid and what her other perks are. Perhaps if she is reading this she can provide thatinformation to be sure the record is correct.
This article fails to point out that it was also mailed to an estimated 1100 “voters” from out of the area.
As such, the “Advisory Ballot” hardly represents “the sentiments” of our Community.
10 years ago we, The Electorate (those of us who live, work, raise our Families, support our Community, pay for CCSD services and are registered to vote in Cambria), elected a CCSD Board Majority to stop pursuing Desal.
The “Survey” of 2000 was nothing more than a tool to justify the current CCSD Board’s desire to resurrect and pursue Desal at any cost.
NOTE: The people of Cambria were originally told we needed Desal for Fire Protection. Then it was for drought protection for those with extensive landscaping.