JOSHUA BASIN WATER EFFORTS TO HOLD OFF RATE HIKES MAY NOT BE ENOUGH

In Joshua Tree last night, the Joshua Basin Water District board of directors took steps to lower operating expenses; be that as it may, no effort could be enough to stave off substantial rate hikes being considered beginning this March. Reporter Mike Lipsitz was there…
At about $380,000 annually, electricity is the district’s single biggest operating expense; that reality comes in spite of extensive conservation measures. In an effort to address that sobering reality, the board last night authorized formation of an ad hoc committee to look at initiating feasibility and scoping studies on going solar. Grants and favorable financing make such studies very low-risk endeavors with the potential for high returns.
And on the topic of operating expenses, the board continued an ongoing rate study discussion with an outside consultant. According to the consultant, Joshua Tree’s water district, like water districts throughout the state, must grapple with the need to fund essential capital improvements, escalating costs of water, and a meter replacement program. Yet to be determined is how much; what is known, though, is that come March, rates are going up and will continue to go up for the coming five years and beyond.