If elected to the Board of Directors of the Vallecitos Water District, I will fight to keep water rates low, to ensure safety and reliability of the water supply, and to bring a "family perspective to the Board of Directors. If you agree with the goals and my plan presented here, remember to vote for Timothy Shell on November 2, 2004, as your representative to Division 1 of the Vallecitos Water District.
Maintain Low Water Rates
- It is better for the Vallecitos Water District to spend less than to charge more. The Ratepayers should be allowed to keep more of their hard-earned money and spend it as needed to provide for their families.
- The Vallecitos Water District should spend within its means. The District should operate its budget like a family + balancing the checkbook, making the tough decisions, and saving for the future.
- The Vallecitos Water District should restrict its ability to raise water rates. It should be harder to raise rates than to cut spending. The District needs to remember that the money they spend comes out of the Ratepayer's pocket and takes away money from the Ratepayer's families.
To accomplish these goals, I will insist as a Board Member that the District include a statement of fiscal impact for all of its decisions, indicating the impact of all fiscal decisions on water rates.
Ensure Water Supply Reliability
- The Vallecitos Water District should be planning for tomorrow. A surplus fund sufficient to meet the District's operating expenses for at least one year should be developed to meet the needs of the District during times when revenues are down because of drought conditions. Just as families save for college, weddings, and retirement, the District should also be saving for the future.
- The Vallecitos Water District should spend every penny necessary to ensure that its facilities are reliable, but not one penny more. The District should be accountable for its fiscal decisions. The District should not spend money wastefully, especially if it would have a negative impact on water rates.
To accomplish these goals, I will insist as a Board Member that the District include, establish, and maintain a surplus fund, and that it implements and updates a 10 year Master Plan every two years to ensure that its operations can function reliably each year, now and into the future. I will insist that the District look for new ways to recycle water, and look for new sources of water.
Bring a "Family" Perspective to the Board
- The Vallecitos Water District should treat the Ratepayers like family members, not like a rich "Sugar Daddy". The Ratepayers should do their fair share of the chores, to pay a fair rate for the service provided. But the District should not waste any of the Ratepayer's money.
- The Ratepayers deserve to know the specific purpose and impact on water rates of each fiscal decision the Vallecitos Water District makes. Family members must communicate with each other to have a healthy relationship. The District needs to communicate with its Ratepayers in such a manner that each person can read about the decisions the District makes, and have ready access to information on the fiscal impact of those decisions.
- The Ratepayers deserve to know exactly how much money is budgeted and spent by the Vallecitos Water District. The District should be held accountable for passing a lean, efficient, balanced budget.
To accomplish these goals, I will insist as a Board Member that the District communicate to the Ratepayers its decisions, and the votes on those decisions, using the newsletter that is already mailed to everyone. I will insist that the information on the fiscal impact of the District's decisions be publicized and made available to the Ratepayers for the asking. I will insist that the District publish its budget for all Ratepayers who express interest.
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