For almost 40 years I have been proud to call Joshua Tree home. Now I am running for the Joshua Basin Water District board. As a long-term resident and small business owner, I want to ensure that our water district continues to protect our water supplies. It also must be fiscally-responsible and professionally managed.
I am a member of the Joshua Basin Water District Citizens’ Advisory Committee. I have studied water issues in our area and have worked closely with JBWD staff. Our community deserves and expects responsible management of water resources. We want reasonable rates and a customer-oriented, problem-solving administration and staff.
My goal as a board member is to continue the water board's tradition of strong professional leadership. We must work together to make sure that the District keeps its promises to our customers for generations to come.
As a member of the board, I will:
* Provide clean, affordable water to our customers.
We must work to continue the water district’s tradition of delivering high quality, clean water to the existing 5,500 connections.
* Protect our aquifer.
We need to ensure that future businesses and residents enjoy the same quality services that we enjoy today.
* Plan for Joshua Tree's future needs.
Prioritize replenishing groundwater in the aquifer to guarantee our supplies for the future. I believe we must take the steps now to protect our aquifer from over-drafting so that everyone has a reliable water supply, not just today, but for many years to come.
* Be fiscally responsible to ensure a strong, sustainable district.
The community has the resources and tools to keep JBWD strong and sustainable. We will need to make smart and sustainable decisions about water conservation and recycling to stretch our supplies.
* Treat all our customers fairly.
That includes setting fair rates, such as the tiered rates established in 2007, and requiring developers to pay the costs for the infrastructure for their projects. New developments cannot be allowed to impact the water supply of the district's existing customers nor should the rate payers of the district subsidize their developments.
As I have shown by my service as Chair of the Joshua Tree Municipal Advisory Council and as a member of the Joshua Basin Water District Citizens’ Advisory Committee, I am committed to improving the District’s relationship with its residents, and to continuing to conduct its responsibilities in accordance with high ethical standards.
On your Water District board, I will work with my fellow board members to keep your water costs affordable. Most importantly, I will provide leadership to protect and maintain a quality water supply and services.
Mickey
Mickey's thoughts on issues and events of interest to Joshua Basin Water District customers.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Water rates
We're hearing a lot about water rates this election. With the world seemingly spinning out of control, we can certainly understand people's concern. People may not be able to fix the financial markets, but they can definitely weigh in on our water rates.
A bit of history. In considering the new rate package last year, the water board's first priority was that it be fair to all rate-payers. Even before they held a public hearing, they asked the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to meet with their water rate experts to make sure everyone's concerns were addressed. The CAC is a broad community-based group with between 10-15 members, including Jay St. Gaudens and me.
These rate experts had looked at the future financial needs of the district and compared our rates with other similarly-sized districts. They told the CAC that, based on their findings, they were recommending that the district go to three rate tiers and that the rates be increased by an average of 6% for each of the next four years.
For the majority of users, the 6% increase would translate to a relatively modest increase of about $2.37 per month the first year. Nevertheless, Joshua Tree has many small water users on fixed incomes for whom any increase would be a burden. The CAC therefore recommended to the board that a fourth tier be implemented, which the board agreed to do.
Our other priority was to encourage people to conserve water. The way rates are tiered, people pay the lowest rate for the first tier water they use. If they go into the second tier, they pay the higher rate only for their usage over the minimum and so on for the other tiers. This means that people who use a lot of water pay the higher rates and people who use the minimum pay the lowest.
What do these rates cover?
* Keeping our district strong and viable.
* Replacing our aging pipes. Some steel pipes have been in the ground for 50 years and are very corroded requiring water to be chlorinated.
* Establishing a routine preventative schedule to maintain our $6.5 million system. That had never been done in the past.
* Allowing the district to pay as it goes, including bringing in water from the State Water Project once the recharge ponds are in.
* Keeping up with increased costs. Moving water in California takes 20% of the state's electricity and 30% of it's natural gas usage. Electricity to pump water is JBWD's highest budget item, even though the district pumps most of its water at night to take advantage of the lowest rates.
The next time someone talks about our 'outrageous' water rates, remind them that Joshua Basin has the second lowest rates in the Morongo Basin. Moreover Joshua Basin Water District is an advanced, progressive water district with a board that is committed to serving the people. They plan ahead so they can keep costs down and the system in healthy operating condition. The end result is when you turn on the faucet, you get pure, clean, reasonably-priced water.
Mickey Luckman
A bit of history. In considering the new rate package last year, the water board's first priority was that it be fair to all rate-payers. Even before they held a public hearing, they asked the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to meet with their water rate experts to make sure everyone's concerns were addressed. The CAC is a broad community-based group with between 10-15 members, including Jay St. Gaudens and me.
These rate experts had looked at the future financial needs of the district and compared our rates with other similarly-sized districts. They told the CAC that, based on their findings, they were recommending that the district go to three rate tiers and that the rates be increased by an average of 6% for each of the next four years.
For the majority of users, the 6% increase would translate to a relatively modest increase of about $2.37 per month the first year. Nevertheless, Joshua Tree has many small water users on fixed incomes for whom any increase would be a burden. The CAC therefore recommended to the board that a fourth tier be implemented, which the board agreed to do.
Our other priority was to encourage people to conserve water. The way rates are tiered, people pay the lowest rate for the first tier water they use. If they go into the second tier, they pay the higher rate only for their usage over the minimum and so on for the other tiers. This means that people who use a lot of water pay the higher rates and people who use the minimum pay the lowest.
What do these rates cover?
* Keeping our district strong and viable.
* Replacing our aging pipes. Some steel pipes have been in the ground for 50 years and are very corroded requiring water to be chlorinated.
* Establishing a routine preventative schedule to maintain our $6.5 million system. That had never been done in the past.
* Allowing the district to pay as it goes, including bringing in water from the State Water Project once the recharge ponds are in.
* Keeping up with increased costs. Moving water in California takes 20% of the state's electricity and 30% of it's natural gas usage. Electricity to pump water is JBWD's highest budget item, even though the district pumps most of its water at night to take advantage of the lowest rates.
The next time someone talks about our 'outrageous' water rates, remind them that Joshua Basin has the second lowest rates in the Morongo Basin. Moreover Joshua Basin Water District is an advanced, progressive water district with a board that is committed to serving the people. They plan ahead so they can keep costs down and the system in healthy operating condition. The end result is when you turn on the faucet, you get pure, clean, reasonably-priced water.
Mickey Luckman
Friday, September 12, 2008
Welcome!
Thank you for visiting our website. This is where we will keep you updated on what's going on in our campaign. We also will try and answer some of the crazy rumors that are being circulated.
Please visit again soon.
Mickey
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