Measure J, MPWMD talks what happens next
Voters passed Measure J by 54 to 45 percent. The measure initiates a study that might eventually lead to a public takeover of Cal Am water.
The group “Public Water Now” was behind getting it on the ballot. They told KION on Election Day that the measure was designed so the peninsula community could have a choice.
“We want local control and we want a say in our water and that is what Measure J has always been about,” said Melodie Chrislock, communications director with Public Water Now.
Throughout it all, the Monterey Peninsula Water District says they’ve stayed neutral.
“We kind of joke about being Switzerland and some people have challenged that,” said David J. Stoldt, MPWMD general manager, “The fact of the matter is, we were going to take it which ever way it went.”
The water management district has budgeted between $400,000 to $700,000 to study a Cal Am buyout.
The district can’t take formal action until the election is certified in December.
Until then, they say they will be doing as much planning as they can.
“We have a limited time frame of nine months to get this study done so we’re going to be looking at experts in the field of appraisal and rate making and the different studies that are going to incorporate this,” said MPWMD Chair Andy Clarke.
As plans for the study are formulated the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District also has to maintain its work and its relationship with Cal Am. Something they addressed at Wednesday’s press conference.
“They’re still the retail water utility provider until further notice”, Stoldt said, “We have a lot of mutual interest and joint projects that we work on and will continue to work on. This is a long process, in the meantime we all have to continue to provide safe affordable, reliable service.”
If the study determines that a government takeover is feasible, the case will go to court.
The water management district says a resolution to a takeover could take three to seven years.
They also say public comment could happen in December.
