Hello Rolling Hills Residents,
These are my personal opinions after doing the research; I hope this will help inform some of you who have no clue about what the heck is going on.
After researching and speaking to water professionals since our town hall meeting two weeks ago, I have prepared summary of that research, and included my personal opinions. This summary includes an investigation into solving the Rolling Hills water capacity issues, and initial research into the possibility of privatizing the Rolling Hills Water System.
Basically, to meet the capacity requirements the state requires, we need a third well. At first glance, it may seem unnecessary for our community to spend on the cost of a new well; considering our current production does meet the demand needed. However, the state’s requirement of meeting the highest month’s demand, even with the top producing well off-line, is a valid attempt in preventing situations, such as the one Rolling Hill’s Residents found themselves in this past spring.
The way I see it, Rolling Hill’s residents have two choices. We can either continue to take the easy way out; and rely on the county to manage our water and roads. However, with that decision, we can expect more of the same issues returning for many years to come. I say this because residents will not vote for the county’s rate increases; due to the county’s over inflated projected costs for each project we need, or might need. Therefore the county will manage our system so that we do get the minimum needed to survive; any upgrades or improvements above the basics will be at a premium cost. To repeat, this cost will be far more than what most resident will agree to pay, and therefore the county will be stuck with the bill; which in-turn means that we will get the minimum. I expect this is the path most residents will choose; either due to inaction or fear of losing the county safety net.
The alternative is that we can band together and privatize, possibly vote to become a real association, and pay for our own improvements at a fraction of the cost; which we eventually pay for anyway. For example, would you rather pay $800,000 for a new well & land, or remain on water restrictions and pay $2,000,000 or more for the county to do it? Would you rather pay $335,000 for new meters, or $5,100,000 for pipes and meters? Whatever the county can do, we can do it cheaper and more efficiently.
The numbers: We can either pay $5,700 ($27 month) per house privately, or $21,417 per house ($102 month) with the county. This would get us a new well, rehab well 2, meters, and create a $700,000 reserve. With the county, the $21,417 would get a new well, rehab well 2, meters, and new mains. In addition, those who have mains in the back, will have to pay separately to connect to the new main. (See Attached Exhibit) A side note: (for an additional $25 month we could get all the roads in Rolling Hills Re-paved) We are one of the very few communities who do not pay a road assessment. The roads in Rolling Hills will remain in disrepair and will never get done without one. Would you rather pay $50 month for water and new roads or $102 per month for the county’s water plan? When you see the Rolling Hills Rate study, which will not pass the 218, I predict the projected monthly rate will be $150 month plus $1.80 per 1000 gallons/ mo (prepare for a projected water bill of $200 to $250 per month) (See MD95 Rate Study Info Below) (Attached) (Of course the monthly payments subject to ability to obtain financing)
Yes these are hard choices; the type of choices where most people, just do nothing. It is easier to do nothing, and blame the county then to have the courage to take responsibility for ourselves. When the developer of the community created Rolling Hills; he relied on the residents, not the county to take care of themselves. Thus reflected in the price of the original lots. Yes leaving the county takes away an expensive security blanket. However if one does not have the courage to try something new voluntarily. We will always be on the reactive, and paying dearly for it, and when it evolves at emergency prices. So ask yourself, if you were convinced by experts with decades of experience, at a town hall meeting, they could do the job for our community better and cheaper, would you choose to leave the county? Or, would you choose to do nothing, receive the minimum in services, and wind up paying more for it when it becomes and emergency?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over the past 2 weeks, I have met with Tim Bakman, Brett Frazier, Don Smith, Rod Bradley, Ferguson. After meeting with Tim Bakman from Bakman water company. I learned they are the same company who is managing Root Creek Water (Riverstone). They have been in business since 1940, and currently still own and manage their own system, which spans from Willow to Fowler and Olive to Kings Canyon. They currently charge under $60 per month/ per connection for water services. On meters they charge per 100 CF is $.97 roughly per 1000 gallons (less than City of Fresno) (Example of our water usage average high month 14,000,000 gallons divided equally would be $41 each plus any fixed costs). Tim also feels that he could manage our water system for far less that the county, and his company could install the meters for less than $1000 each. If his company is out here managing Riverstone, why not pay him to manage ours? Why would we pay Riverstone to connect to their groundwater system, when Bakman could be doing the same thing for us?
Bakman’s company has 11 wells, in their own system, they perform all of the state required testing, since 1940. They handle day to day management, and billing. I spoke with Rod Bradley from Bradley and Sons Well Drilling, I was very impressed with their knowledge. They both pointed to an Engineer named Ken Shmidt the guru of most wells in the Valley, who is involved with the majority of wells developed in this area. There is also a general contractor by the name of Don Smith who manages projects such as a new well. Roughly the cost of a new well is $500,000 to $700,0000 Rod said when we find a location, he drills a test hole, takes samples every 10 feet, sends them to Ken. Ken (engineer) analyzes the soil and makes engineering instructions on the materials needed to best protect the well from sand and such; he designs the well to be constructed as needed in his plans. We could have these experts come and speak to us at a town hall meeting.
I met with Supervisor Brett Frazier on Thursday 9/29 to inquire about the real possibility of privatizing our water system. He agrees it is a real possibility. The county wouldn’t mind getting out of managing, because of the difficulties surrounding the 218 election process. He shared with me the rate study for Water District 95 MD95; (our rate study is underway), their current rate is $83 per month non-metered, their projected rate is $141/mo plus $1.63 per approx. every 1000 gallons; with yearly increases until 2020 when it gets to $159 mo plus $2.12 per approx. every 1000 gallons; that’s about $250 month for water, on averaged use. So it probably will not pass 218, but what does that mean? Will the state eventually start mandating improvements? Eventually some emergency will happen, and a vote will have to pass to get it done; until then minimum services…
Will you rely on the county, sell out, or pave your own path?
David Frisby
PS Im waiting for Mr Frazier to get back to me on the steps we would need to take to privatize, as well as processes of financing, and legal entity information. I will post again, when I have more details. As for now, it would be good to know how many residents would consider privatizing, if the experts were to present a solid plan for us at a town hall meeting. I understand we would need to analyze all aspects of this decision, before we could pull the trigger.
You can respond, by clicking the "Add a Comment" at the bottom of this page.
Residents are watching, (click above picture) and just starting to chime in. With over 391 page views in the last 2 days. Please contribute your thoughts an feelings, even if you think, you don't understand, or happen to make mistakes on your spelling or grammar; it only important that you participate!
