EXHIBIT
5.a.-B
April 16, 2007
[Local
Government Committee Members]
State Capitol
P.O. Box [Box
No.]
Subject: Monterey Peninsula Water Management District
Support of AB 1260
Dear
Assembly Member [Name]:
The passage of AB 1260 (Caballero) would provide local public agencies with proper guidance when noticing fee increases.
The Monterey Peninsula Water
Management District believes this bill is necessary to clarify who, under the
law, is entitled to notification of a public agency’s proposed rate increase
and in the event the proposed rate is adopted, who is entitled to challenge the
new rate. Additionally this bill will
provide stability and certainty in agency planning and budgeting by
establishing a statute of limitations within which the newly-adopted rate can
be challenged.
AB 1260 is a good government bill and your “AYE” vote will strengthen the
Monterey Peninsula Water Management District’s relations with its ratepayers
and customers.
With the Passage of this bill:
·
AB 1260
would clarify how agencies give legal notice of new or increased fees
and the method for counting written protests.
The bill would assure that rate payers receive proper notice while
allowing agencies to save substantial costs by authorizing agencies to include
the notices with customers’ billing statements.
·
AB 1260
would advance important public policies, by, providing sound financial
assurance and vital public services. Additionally it would reduce unnecessary
costs associated with litigation.
Without Passage of this
bill:
·
Public
agencies would continue to operate in uncertainty about how and to whom written
notice of proposed rate increases should be handled and subsequently who would
be able to challenge the new rates.
·
Public
agencies would not be in a position to effectively and efficiently manage their
budgets because they would be remain subject to litigation for a fee increase
that was adopted in prior years.
Currently there is no limitation for the commencement of a judicial with regard to new or increases
in fees.
For the aforementioned reasons, the Monterey Peninsula Water Management
District respectfully requests an “AYE” vote on AB 1260 when it is heard in the
Assembly Local Government Committee on April 25, 2007.
Sincerely,
David
Pendergrass, Chair
Board
of Directors
Cc: Assembly
Member John Laird
Katie Kolitsos, Consultant, Assembly Local Government Committee
William Weber, Consultant, Assembly
Republican Caucus
Association of California Water Agencies
U:\staff\word\boardpacket\2007\2007boardpackets\20070416\ConsentCal\05a\item5a_exh5aB.doc