Archive for the ‘Back Story’ Category
Cambria’s Water History
At the August 21, 2008 CCSD meeting, Director Peter Chaldecott and General Manager Tammy Rudock presented a 10 minute history lesson of water issues in Cambria since the mid-nineteenth century. There is a downloadable version of the history at cambriacsd.org. Here is the excerpt of the meeting:
More valuable than a gallon of gas? Say YES! with a small donation today.Tags: 93428, CCSD, history, Links - Water
The Cost of Higher Fuel Prices: No More Vehicle Allowances & No CCSD Trucks for Commuting
When the first rates increase was in the works (September 2007), gasoline in California was hovering around the $3 mark. The price is now 50% higher at $4.50 per gallon and continue to rise. Diesel has gone from a little over to $3 to around $5. In an effort to compare the increased costs, I reviewed the expenditure reports for May 2007, July 2007, September 2007, October 2007 and May 2008. Since the expenditure report doesn’t list the price per gallon, I used a little algebra and a calculator to determine an average price per gallon for gasoline and diesel for each of the five months. (See methodology at the end of this post.)
Based on the information from the expenditure reports, the Ditrict is spending somewhere around $3000 more per month on fuel than only one year ago. The increase from January 2006 (using the California average price of diesel) is closer to $5000 a month increase. Reducing the amount of gas and diesel used (by eliminating the vehicle take-home policy) and reducing some of the fixed costs in the budget (vehicle allowances), the CCSD may be able to
make up the difference between what has been budgeted for fuel and what the cost actually is. Without raising rates.
| May-07 | Jul-07 | Sep-07 | Oct-07 | May-08 | |
| Gallons of Gas | 1643 | 857 | 664 | 910 | 1000 |
| Average Price per gallon | $3.57 | $3.31 | $3.26 | $3.27 | $4.47 |
| Total spent for Gasoline | $5,865.51 | $2,836.67 | $2,164.64 | $2,975.70 | $4,470.00 |
| Gallons of Diesel | 2103 | 1714 | 500 | 2394 | 2793 |
| Average Price per gallon | $3.18 | $3.45 | $3.54 | $3.78 | $4.37 |
| Total spent for Diesel | $6,687.54 | $5,913.30 | $1,770.00 | $9,049.32 | $12,205.41 |
| Total Fuel Expenditures | $12,553.05 | $8,749.97 | $3,934.64 | $12,025.02 | $16,675.41 |
PLEASE NOTE:
The numbers in the table are off by a bit, most likely due to the 9/10¢ tax charged in each gallon and because it seems the price per gallon c
an change as many as 3 times per month (at least according to the numbers on the expenditure reports.) It will probably be obvious I didn’t major in math…my B.A. is in English. Trust me when I say that getting this data correct and in a format that was at least somewhat useful was a challenge…fun, but a challenge. Please let me know if you find some error or fallacy in my methodology. I was mainly trying to understand how much the rising cost of fuel has affected the CCSD’s budget
Methodology: Each month there are 3 payments made. The amount of fuel used is divided by department and by type. I started by picking an expenditure that was ONLY gasoline and divided the total gallons into the amount paid ($$), to get average price per gallon ($pgg):
($$/g=$pgg)
Then I multiplied the total gallons of gasoline (tgg) by the average price per gallon to get the amount spent on gasoline that month ($gm):
($ppg * tgg=$gm)
Next, I subtracted amount spent on gasonline for the month ($gm) from the total expended on fuel for the month ($tfm) to get how much was spent on diesel for the month.
($tfm - $gm = $dm)
I divided this result by the number of gallons of diesel used in the month (gd) to get the average price of diesel per gallon for the month ($pgd).
($dm/gd=$pgd)
From there it’s a hop skip and a jump to the rest of the numbers.
Whew! I think I’ve earned myself a Bombay Sapphire Martini with a yummy garlic stuffed olive drowning in it. Want one?
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Tags: Cambria, CCSD, comparison, diesel, fuel, methodology, pricing
About Cambria’s Growing Library of Documents
This site was born to provide a place for Cambrians to share resources and ideas relevant to the CCSD and it’s rate increase. We were helping each other through a crash course of what our local government can and should be doing. To that end, I have posted many links and documents (accessible by clicking the Library and/or Links tabs at the top of the page.)
To date, the Library has 97 documents from many reputable sources. In the Library you will find:
- numerous CCSD expenditure reports, contracts and financial documents obtained through public records requests.
- Primers and booklets about Community Services District laws and the communities they serve, published by the state and professional organizations.
- Rate Studies and Budgets from other agencies - to compare with what the CCSD has done.
- All about water: supply, demand, drought, management, pricing and financing.
- Publications written primarily for CSD staffs and boards to aide in their service to the community.
- An excel document for doing water quantity conversions (acre-feet->CCSD Units ->Gallons) and water demand calculations.
- Documents focussed on public participation, improving government accountability and civic engagement.
Visit the library to download any of the documents available. Below is a list of the document titles and authors you will find in the aboutcambria.com online library.
If you have any documents you think should be included in the library (paper or electronic), please contact Amanda Rice at 927-4191 or amanda at aboutcambria.com.
|
Document |
Source/Author |
|
2000 Advisory Ballot on Desal |
CCSD |
|
2007 Resource Management Survey |
SLO County |
|
A Guide To Asset Management For Small Water Systems |
National Environmental Services Center |
|
A primer on Municipal Services Reviews of CSDs |
Multiple |
|
Best Management Practices |
California Urban Water Conservation Council |
|
Black and Veatch Long Term Financial Plan Report |
Black and Veatch |
|
Board BRP Presentation from Black and Veatch report |
Black and Veatch |
|
The Brown Act – Open Meetings Law |
State of California |
|
Budget Expenditure Report May 2008 |
CCSD |
|
California Public Records Act |
State of California |
|
California State Auditor’s Review of CSDs |
CA State Auditor |
|
Cal Tax Criteria for Evaluating Infrastructure Bonds |
Cal Tax |
|
Cambria Design Plan |
SLO County |
|
CCC response to Major Amendment to LCP |
CCC |
|
CCSD 2006-2007 Operating Budget |
CCSD Staff |
|
CCSD Agenda- March 27 Meeting |
CCSD |
|
CCSD Budget Expenditure Report - April 2007 |
CCSD |
|
CCSD Budget Expenditure Report August 2007 |
CCSD Staff |
|
CCSD Budget Expenditure Report July 2007 |
CCSD Staff |
|
CCSD Budget Expenditure Report June 2007 |
CCSD Staff |
|
CCSD Budget Expenditure Report March 2007 |
CCSD Staff |
|
CCSD Budget Expenditure Report May 2007 |
CCSD Staff |
|
CCSD Budget Expenditure Report November 2007 |
CCSD Staff |
|
CCSD Budget Expenditure Report October 2007 |
CCSD Staff |
|
CCSD Budget Expenditure Report September 2007 |
CCSD Staff |
|
CCSD 2008-2010 Capital Financing Budget |
CCSD |
|
CCSD Draft Financial Audit |
Moss, Levy |
|
CCSD FY 05- 06 Audit Report |
CCSD |
|
CCSD Lobbying Contract Approval |
CCSD |
|
CCSD Owner Customer Rate Increase Notice |
Joan Cobin |
|
CCSD Task 2 and 4 Water Needs and Alternatives |
CCSD |
|
CFRC Board Packet for March 6 CCSD Meeting |
Cambrians for a Fiscally Responsible CCSD |
|
CFRC Suggestion for Quarterly Report Contents |
CFRC |
|
CFRC Water and Wastewater Rates Proposal |
CFRC |
|
Changing the way We Govern- Building Democratic Governance |
National League of Cities |
|
Citizen’s Guide to Joint Powers Agreements
|
CA state senate local gov’t committee |
|
City of Sonoma Water Rates Study |
Jack Weber, Weber Analytical |
|
Climate Action Handbook |
local governments for Sustainability |
|
Community Needs, Community Services |
State of California |
|
Complete Preliminary Buildout Reduction Document |
RBF Consulting |
|
Coping With Climate Change: Short- term Efficiency Technologies |
Woodrow Wilson Institute and Policy Research Initiative of Canada |
|
CPUC Water Rate Adjustment worksheets |
CPUC |
|
Guide to Special District Laws & Related Codes |
CSDA |
|
Guidelines for Leases and Certificates of Participation |
Kathleen Brown State Treasurer |
|
Draft Municipal Services Review |
SLOLAFCo |
|
Executing Your Game Plan: Managing Capital Improvement Projects |
National Environmental Services Center |
|
Financing Open Space and Watershed Acquisition in California |
Trust for Public Lands |
|
General Manager Contract |
CCSD |
|
Growth Management Ballot Measures in California |
Solimar Research Group, Inc. |
|
Growth Management Ordinance Title 26 Of San Luis Obispo County Code |
SLO County |
|
Guidebook To Assist Preparation Of 2005 UWMP |
CA Dept of Water Resources |
|
Improving Performance and Accountability in Local Government |
Gibson, Lacey, Dougherty |
|
Improving the Appraisal Function in Resources Land Acquisitions |
CA Legislative Analyst’s Office |
|
In Hot Water: Water Management Strategies |
National Resources Defense League |
|
Is Water Policy Limiting Residential Growth? |
Public Policy Institute of California |
|
Just The Facts - Water Quality and Supply |
PPIC |
|
LAFCO and Water Management Decisions |
CALAFCO |
|
LAFCO Municipal Service Review Guidelines |
SLOLAFCO |
|
LAFCO MSR Letter from Several Cambrians |
Amanda Rice |
|
Lawns and Water Demand in California |
Public Policy Institute of California |
|
LCP Amendments Response from CCC |
Coastal Commission |
|
Little Hoover Commission Studies |
Little Hoover Commission |
|
Local Government Reporting Program Automated Reporting Guidelines |
State of California |
|
Local Governments Records Management Guidelines |
State of California |
|
Measuring Price Responsiveness in Residential Demand |
Mary Renwick, Richard Green and Chester McCorkle |
|
Monterey Bay Sanctuary Desalination Policies and Action Plans |
NOAA |
|
MSRs, SOIs, And Special Districts |
Chiat, Bill |
|
OPEBs and GASB 45 (A Question and Answer Guide) |
California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission |
|
Pine Knolls Tanks Appeal Documents |
CCC |
|
Preparing For Climate Change |
Local Government for Sustainability |
|
Proposed Desalination Plants in California |
Pacific Institute |
|
Proposition 218 Implementation Guide |
League of CA Cities |
|
Protecting Your Community’s Assets National Environmental Training Center for Small Communities Public Engagement In California |
Yankelovich, Daniel and Isabella Furth |
|
Public Involvement Needs Assessment |
Center for Collaborative Policy |
|
Self Assessment Tools for Small Community Decision Makers |
National Environmental Services Center |
|
SLO County North Coast Area Plan |
SLO County |
|
SLO County Treasury Investment Policy |
SLO County |
|
Special Districts Financial Transactions Report |
State Controller |
|
Standards Of Excellence In Civic Engagement |
The Harwood Institute |
|
Summary of the California Public Records Act 2004 |
California Attorney General |
|
Templeton CSD FY 07-08 Budget |
Templeton CSD |
|
Tools for Financing Water Infrastructure |
US EPA |
|
Update to County Growth Management Plan |
County |
|
Urban Drought Guidebook |
CA DWR |
|
Water Infrastructure Tools for Financing |
EPA |
|
Water Rights: Supply Issues For Local Agency Formation Commission |
CALAFCO |
|
WATER RIGHTS: Supply Issues for Local Agency Formation Commissions |
CALAFCO |
|
Water Special Districts: A Look At Governance And Public Participation |
Legislative Analysts |
|
Water Units Conversion |
Amanda Rice |
|
What’s So Special About Special Districts? |
Kimia Mizany & April Manatt |
|
Working Together- A Citizen’s Guide to Joint Powers Agreements |
Senate Local Government Committee |
Tags: Cambria, documents, library, local, resources
No Water, No Development
From an Interesting article in June 7, 2008 New York Times:
Water-Starved California Slows Development
“PERRIS, Calif. — As California faces one of its worst droughts in two decades, building projects are being curtailed for the first time under state law by the inability of developers to find long-term water supplies.
Water authorities …, have begun denying, delaying or challenging authorization for dozens of housing tracts and other developments under a state law that requires a 20-year water supply as a condition for building”
-JENNIFER STEINHAUER
It seems this law was passed in 2001, but hasn’t really been enforced until now. Our own board, with Mr. Sanders’ knowledge from his law firm which specializes in getting projects through the “raft of legal, environmental and political obstacles that stand in the way of development… and has a national reputation for the successful defense of large infrastructure and development projects.” (According to the Santa Lucian article of October 2005), seems determined to get that 20 year water supply so building can continue here in Cambria.
In the June 5, 2008 Cambrian, Mr. Sanders with his brutal and personal assault on Ms Cynthia Hawley, a former CCSD board Director, has come out swinging with innuendo, half truths and character assassination which demonstrate in action the tactics he will use to “get projects through the raft of legal, environmental and political obstacles that stand in the way of development.” This article would have you believe that Ms. Hawley and her “cohorts” have mismanaged and obstructed “every project proposed by the district,…including a desalination plant.” There is no mention of the larger environment and the state wide curtailments because of a whole host of issues preventing building further housing here in Cambria.
Mr. Sanders, may I suggest you read the article from the New York Times as well as an article quoted earlier from the Los Angeles Times which all differ from your conclusion that Ms Cynthia Hawley almost single handedly is responsible for the failure “of correcting decades of accumulated problems”, in Cambria, CA.
Charlotte Darehshori
Last 5 posts by charlotte
This post was submitted by charlotte.
Sanders Viewpoint, June5
Per Capita Water Use in California’s Different Regions
Per Capita water use (in gallons) 1960-2000
This graph was included in a report by the Public Policy Institute of California. The July 2006 report is called “Lawns and Water Demand in California” . Download it from the AboutCambria.com Library
A few other interesting facts used in this well-cited report include a statement that 1 acre-foot is the amount of water used by 5 to 8 people in one year. Have some fun with water demand. Conversion factors
1 acre-foot = 325,900 gallons
748 gallons = 1 ccsd billing unit
Over the past several years, the CCSD has pumped roughly 800 acre feet per year. About 25% is used by commercial accounts (20% is the minimum commercial use allowed by the Coastal Commission). There are roughly 4000 connections, 25% of which are vacation rentals. The average number of people per household is given at either 1.6 or 2.2.
GO!
More valuable than a gallon of gas? Say YES! with a small donation today.CCSD 101 - The Basics of Your Local Government
Sorting Out the Facts
Cambria Community Services District isn’t just a water district. CCSD provides water, wastewater, fire protection, solid waste, street lighting, parks and recreation, transit, and veteran’s memorial administration to its customers.
There are many CSDs in the state. In 2005, the Community Services District Law, a CSD’s principal act, was rewritten and streamlined by a working group that included CSDA and the Senate Local Government Committee. For the law geeks in the crowd: the Community Services District Law is found in Government Code §61000, et seq . It describes their authority, structure and other details.
Being on the CCSD Board of Directors will not pay the bills. The board of directors’ compensation is limited to $100 per day of service for a maximum of six days per month.
The Board sets the compensation for the general manger. The general manager hires and sets compensation for other district employees, consistent with policies set by the Board and subject to board approval.
The board of directors’ role is to establish policies for the operation of the district. The general manager (Tammy Rudock) is responsible for the implementation of the policies.
The general manager is responsible for all of the following:
(a) The implementation of the policies established by the board of directors for the operation of the district.
(b) The appointment, supervision, discipline, and dismissal of the district’s employees, consistent with the employee relations system established by the board of directors.
(c) The supervision of the district’s facilities and services.
(d) The supervision of the district’s finances.
The CCSD’s activities in two broad categories: enterprise and non-enterprise. Examples of non-enterprise activities are fire protection, parks, and street lighting. These are funded mostly through property taxes. The enterprise activities of the CCSD are waste disposal and water utility service. The Enterprise is operated more like a private entity or a public utility than a government agency, because the services lend themselves to customer charges, in other words, the rates CCSD charges bimonthly.
By law, CSDs who provide both enterprise and non-enterprise services must account for each separately. Ideally, the enterprises of a district should be self-supporting and neither run at a deficit, nor carry excessive surplus (though restricted, designated contingency and capital funds may be accumulated).
For several years, the CCSD has covered deficits in the water and wastewater funds with money from the general fund. Much, if not all, of the money in the general fund is money paid by Chevron as part of a settlement over MTBE contamination.
There is much more to the District than can really be described in a short entry. Many of your neighbors a wealth of knowledge of the history of the town and our local government. In my experience, most Cambrians are glad to talk about their town and the CCSD.
AboutCambria.com will continue to add agendas, minutes and documents that can help shed light on the workings of our government. If you have any public records, minutes or agendas from years past you would like to loan to AboutCambria.com to add to the library, please email amanda @ aboutcambria.com
More valuable than a gallon of gas? Say YES! with a small donation today.New York Times features Cambria
County Planner and liaison to the North Coast Advisory Council Airlin Singewald brought this NY Times article about Cambria to my attention. Read the NY Times article.
Is this history repeating?
The history of Desal in Cambria goes back even before 2000, when the board sent out an advisory ballot. The minutes and articles that can be downloaded here chronicle the 2000 Desal attempts. A must read for anyone who moved here between 1999 and 2008 - and anyone else who needs a refresher on this issue and its long history.
CCSD Meeting Minutes Feb 10, 2000
CCSD Minutes from May 23, 2000
A collection of local news clippings from 2000.
More valuable than a gallon of gas? Say YES! with a small donation today.KTEA 103.5 FM offers “What’s Happening” shows on their website
Cambria’s local radio station, KTEA-FM (103.5), continues to show what an asset to the community it is. “What’s Happening” with host Leeanne can be heard weekdays at 8am, 11am and 4pm. Recently, the show has featured an interview with CCSD Board president Joan Cobin and CCSD General Manager Tammy Rudock as well as an interview with CFRC member Frank DeMicco. If you didn’t catch those interviews when they originally aired, not to worry. Station owner Jim Kampschroer has added the recordings to the KTEA website for download. To download Parts 1 and 2 of the CCSD interview or the interview with Frank DeMicco, visit www.ktea-fm.com
Many thanks to Jim, Leeanne and KTEA-FM (103.5) for making this recording available for download! Upcoming interview: John Lamb, current chair of the North Coast Advisory Council.
Visit KTEA-FM and listen often!