Water Authority Takes Actions to Advance Rate Case Settlement with MWD
November 22 2019 - 12:36PM
Business Wire
Commitment to settlement remains strong; ratepayer protections
critical to any deal
The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board officers Thursday
thanked the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California for
making a public offer to settle litigation over MWD’s rates, and
directed staff to take the following actions:
- Schedule special Board meetings in December and January to
expedite the process in hopes of reaching a conclusion in early
2020; and
- Draft a durable, public and mutually beneficial settlement
offer for review by the Water Authority Board; and
- Invite MWD General Manager Jeff Kightlinger to discuss
settlement with the Water Authority Board and schedule a reciprocal
visit by Water Authority General Manager Sandy Kerl to MWD’s
Board.
“Given MWD’s current willingness to discuss settlement in a
fully transparent and public process, the Water Authority is more
optimistic than ever that an enduring settlement can be reached,”
Water Authority Board Chair Jim Madaffer said after Thursday’s
Board meeting.
“We must carefully consider all aspects of an agreement that
will affect our economy, children and grandchildren,” Madaffer
said. “That’s why we welcome the opportunity to engage fully with
MWD in a public process. Discussions directly with the general
managers will increase the likelihood of finding common ground
early in the new year.”
MWD’s settlement proposal on Nov. 15 marked the start of public
negotiations following more than a year of confidential discussions
that didn’t yield an agreement. It followed on letters from the
Water Authority to MWD on Nov. 8 and Nov. 12 stating the Water
Authority’s belief that the agencies were nearing a point where
they could soon resolve most or all of the litigation.
“We appreciate MWD’s desire to resolve our differences, and we
are fully engaged with the same goal,” said Water Authority Board
Secretary Christy Guerin, who is leading the agency’s settlement
efforts on behalf of the Board of Directors.
The San Diego County Water Authority sustains a $231 billion
regional economy and the quality of life for 3.3 million residents
through a multi-decade water supply diversification plan, major
infrastructure investments and forward-thinking policies that
promote fiscal and environmental responsibility. A public agency
created in 1944, the Water Authority delivers wholesale water
supplies to 24 retail water providers, including cities, special
districts and a military base.
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Mike Lee (858) 522-6703 office (760) 208-0588 cell
Mlee@sdcwa.org