Jeff Hill Response to Question #5:

5.  Over the last decade, the SLV Water District absorbed the Felton and Lompico Water Districts and declined to merge with the Scotts Valley Water District. The Bracken Brae and Forest Springs Water Districts in Boulder Creek are in final stages of negotiation to merge with SLVWD. Do you think the District has an obligation to also merge with the Big Basin Water Company? Why?

No, the District is not OBLIGATED to merge with Big Basin Water Company.

Yes, it is probably the right thing to do, provided it can be done without subjecting the District to significant additional costs. There are significant costs involved in bringing Big Basin Water’s damaged system up to standards, and the first priority is to explore various grant programs and other government assistance to fund this project.

It’s the right thing to do as neighbors helping neighbors.

Doing so would have long term benefits for the District and our customers. Big Basin Water has substantial watershed property that would be a valuable addition to the District’s water supply, and the addition of the several hundred customers from Big Basin Water to the District will help spread the cost of future capital improvements and system maintenance across a larger revenue base, and make debt financing easier to obtain.