JOSHUA BASIN WATER VOTES FOR MONTHLY INACTIVE METER FEE

The cost of your undeveloped property in Joshua Tree—if you have a water meter—is about to go up. Reporter Mike Lipsitz said the Joshua Basin Water Board made that decision last night…
At last night’s meeting of the Joshua Basin Water District Board, directors voted to begin the process to establish a regular monthly fee for inactive meter accounts. That action passed in a 4- 1 vote. Roughly a quarter of the district’s accounts are inactive. Those favoring the measure expressed that inactive accounts contribute nothing toward system infrastructure, but are poised to make use of it at any time. Director Mike Reynolds cast the one opposing vote. He said that instituting charges for inactive meters would change the rules on property owners who installed their meters with the understanding of the costs. Far from a done deal, last night’s vote only begins the process by authorizing the district to develop a customer mailing and arrange for a public hearing, as required by Prop 218. If such a fee does go into effect, it would generate approximately $210,000 annually.