Introduction
Welcome to the Goleta West Sanitary District webpage devoted to explaining the City of Goleta's proposal to take over sewer service on parcels within the City. Here you will find all the current information on this important issue.
Background
For over 55 years, Goleta West has been providing quality sewer service to the western Goleta Valley. In that time the district has prudently managed its finances and dedicated nearly 29 million dollars for regional sewage treatment plant upgrades and other needed improvements. By carefully saving money, it can avoid borrowing for these important projects.
In January 2009 the City of Goleta proposed to change all that. The City has initiated proceedings to "detach" all parcels in the City from Goleta West, which would result in a take over by the City of sewer service and street sweeping for those properties. The eastern portion of the City will continue to be served by Goleta Sanitary District. As a result, the City's proposal would create a third sewer service provider in the Goleta Valley.
Goleta's City Manager and Councilmembers have stated this proposal is motivated by money. By detaching from Goleta West, the City will receive property taxes that are currently allocated to Goleta West and used to keep the sewer system running and clean the streets. The City would redirect those property taxes towards general City expenses and increase its sewer customers' fees to pay for the sewer operations. It is widely agreed that the current level of sewer and street sweeping service is excellent. The City claims that it will be able to retain this high level of service while at the same time spending less money to provide it. The
District doubts that this is possible.
Since the City's sewer take over proposal will impact all of the District's customers, the GWSD Board retained an independent financial analyst, Raftelis Financial Consulting (RFC), to analyze its effects.
RFC's analysis determined that the City's proposal, if approved and implemented, is expected to have serious financial consequences for Goleta West customers and the City of Goleta.
- Rate increases of up to 110% over the next 5 years
- Unfunded responsibilities for infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Additionally, the RFC study found that, due to a loss of funds as a result of the detachment, vital projects and programs that benefit our environment and reduce storm water pollution and prevent potential raw sewage spills into the ocean will be eliminated or put on hold.
Available On This Website
Below you will find links that allow you to learn more about this subject, including:
- The City's staff reports and resolution initiating the detachment which provide background information.
- A map depicting the City, Goleta West and Goleta Sanitary District's boundaries which allows customers to identify the public agency that would be their service provider if detachment occurs.
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The City's proposal submitted to LAFCO which describes the City's plan to take over Goleta West's system.
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A property tax reallocation agreement adopted by the City and County which explains how taxes will be divided if the detachment occurs.
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A copy of the RFC report which describes the impact of detachment on Goleta West customers.
Goleta West's goal in making this information available is to provide its customers with facts about the City's proposal. Over the coming weeks, Goleta West will update this page as new information becomes available.
Links to Specific Documents
Map of Goleta Valley Showing Goleta West, City and Goleta Sanitary District Boundaries
City of Goleta Staff Reports, Resolutions, Agreements and Proposal
City of Goleta's Resolution Initiating Proceedings for Detachment from GWSD (February 3, 2009)
Minutes from Goleta's City Council Meeting of February 3, 2009
City of Goleta's Detachment Proposal
City of Goleta's Update re Detachment Proceedings (February 17, 2009)
City of Goleta's Staff Report and Resolution Adopting a Property Tax Reallocation Agreement with Santa Barbara County (May 5, 2009)
City Budget Allocating $85,000 over FY 2010-2011 to Detachment Study and Related Matters
County of Santa Barbara Staff Reports, Resolutions and Agreements
County of Santa Barbara's Staff Report and Resolution Adopting a Property Tax Reallocation Agreement with Goleta, with links to Related Reports, Presentations, Comment Letters
Revenue Neutrality Agreement with City of Goleta
Goleta West Staff Reports and Studies
From this link, you can read the report prepared by Goleta West on the City of Goleta's proposal to take over sewer service. Here you will find all the information regarding the City's plan and how it could affect you. Included is a summary of the issue, background and history of the proposal, findings regarding the significant rate increases, and a host of other documents that will help you learn more.
Individual Sections
For additional information about the detachment proposal, contact:
Mark Nation, General Manager, Goleta West Sanitary District
mnation@goletawest.com
(805) 968-2617
Dan Singer, City Manager, City of Goleta
dsinger@cityofgoleta.org
(805) 961-7501
Bob Braitman, Executive Director, Santa Barbara LAFCO
bob@braitmanconsulting.com
805.568.3391
