Agenda Item Wording:
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Consolidated Water District Formation Ballot Measure - Authorization to not submit ballots for a petition to form the Consolidated Water District in parts of Tulare County.
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Deadline for Action: 5/5/2025
Submitting Department: Administration
Contact Name and Phone Number: Leslie B. Caviglia, City Manager, 713-4332; Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director, 713-4052.
Department Recommendation: It is recommended that the Visalia City Council direct staff to remain neutral and not submit the ballots issued in the election to form the Consolidated Water District.
Summary:
The City of Visalia has received two ballots on the petition to form a Water District. The City owns two parcels in this proposed district that represent a total of 563,529 votes (225,194 on one ballot and 338,335 on the second) out of a possible 480,019,368 available votes. This makes the City's voting share .1174%. The actual percentage impact is dependent on the number of returned ballots and the value of each returned ballot. Vote value is based on land value. One dollar of land value is equal to one vote.
Given the City's current partnerships and resources with water, and the relatively small representation that Visalia would have in this new District, it is unclear what the direct benefit would be, although if it passes, Staff would encourage Council to have the City partner with and be involved with the District.
However, given that the real parties that have the most vested interest in the District formation are the agricultural interests, staff is recommending that the City follow past practice from similar situations and not participate in the vote, but rather leave the decision of whether to form the district to those most impacted. This is similar to what the City has done with the Downtown property owner district ballots; the City is supportive of the district, pays the assessment on the proper...
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