Home Contra Costa County Supervisor Piepho’s Fix for Discovery Bay Taxpayers Passed By Contra Costa County Supervisors

Supervisor Piepho’s Fix for Discovery Bay Taxpayers Passed By Contra Costa County Supervisors

by ECT

Removal of Boundary Overlap to Redirect Revenues to Struggling Agencies Providing Services

(Brentwood, CA) – In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors approved Supervisor Mary Nejedly Piepho’s proposed fix aimed at correcting decades long siphoning by the Byron Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) of tax revenue from agencies who serve Discovery Bay residents.

Currently BBID’s jurisdiction partially overlaps with the Town Discovery Bay and both receive tax revenue or fees to provide water service, but only the Town of Discovery Bay actually provides water to the overlapping area and all other residents of Discovery Bay.

Supervisor Mary Nejedly Piepho stated, “Government agencies should not receive tax revenue from taxpayers when the agency is not providing a service. It is particularly egregious in this case as BBID was advised in 1993 that it was necessary to detach. BBID collected almost $700,000 last year without providing any service to Discovery Bay residents. This must stop.”

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisor’s action calls on the San Joaquin County’s Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) to detach the portions of the Town of Discovery Bay that are not served by BBID.

Contra Costa LAFCO records confirm that BBID was advised in 1993 that it would be necessary to detach Discovery Bay from the BBID boundary due to the fact that it was unlikely Discovery Bay would ever need a water supply from BBID. In 1993, according to a LAFCO MSR, the General Manager, Rick Gilmore, asked for more time to complete a groundwater management plan.

On November 12, 2015, in a meeting with County officials and community stakeholders, BBID officials agreed that it was unlikely BBID’s water supply would ever be used by Discovery Bay. General Manager, Rick Gilmore admitted that it would be unlikely that, even in a severe drought, that the Town could rely on BBID water. Gilmore further acknowledged that an investment of more than $500 million to construct a new water treatment facility would be necessary before any of BBID’s raw, untreated water could ever be made available to Town residents.

BBID’s 2014 financial statements showed an operating surplus of 10% and an unrestricted reserve that is over $34 million, nearly seven times BBID’s 2014 operating expenses. As part of the proposed detachment process, the District will have the opportunity to clarify what effect, if any, a detachment would have on its water rates, and to explain why it is critical to its ongoing operations that BBID be allowed to collect taxes from properties it does not serve.

While a detachment from BBID would not reduce the tax bills of affected Discovery Bay residents, it would reallocate funds to the agencies that actually serve the residents of Discovery Bay. A detachment could result in a redirection of the Irrigation District tax revenues from the overlapping areas to other local taxing entities, such as the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, for the benefit of Discovery Bay residents and East Contra Costa County in general.

Earlier this month, the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District’s Board of Directors directed its own staff to develop a proposal to transfer $200,000 per year for 5 years to the beleaguered East Contra Costa Fire Protection District.

“I appreciate that BBID has recognized the funding needs of the East County Fire Protection District but larger problems need fixing. We need to correct this boundary error and put the nearly $700,000 of revenues where it more appropriately belongs like East County Fire.”

LAFCo is the agency responsible for coordinating changes to local government boundaries, including annexations, consolidations and detachments. The action Tuesday by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors to apply for the detachment from Byron-Bethany Irrigation District of overlapping areas in Discovery Bay is the first step in a methodical process that ensures the orderly formation and development of all the governmental agencies within a jurisdiction.

The following was a press release provided by Supervisor Mary Piepho

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7 comments

Anon Too Nov 18, 2015 - 3:40 pm

While they’re looking at BBID, perhaps someone can explain to me why over 5% of my tax bill in Oakley goes to Brentwood, Knightsen and Byron Elementary schools? They aren’t part of the Oakley Elementary district.

Can they reallocate those to ECCFPD too?

Also why does good ol’ Ironhouse get 1% plus their $658 in sewer use fees?

Buy a Clue Nov 18, 2015 - 5:15 pm

Wow, so BBID has basically been stealing from the community since 1993 and has the nerve to put out a press release yesterday to claim it needs more study?

How is this not criminal behavior on the part of BBID officials?

Rob Nov 18, 2015 - 8:08 pm

I believe as we look into more of exactly where our property taxes go,more questions will arise!!!!! I believe we pay enough in property taxes ( more then enough) that if they are used correctly we can fund all the county’s needs. It’s always easier to ask for more money when you have not earned it yourself?. Let’s get back what belongs to ECCFPD!!!!!

Local Nov 18, 2015 - 8:10 pm

Who says you can’t reallocate taxes?

Rob Nov 18, 2015 - 8:53 pm

Brilliant comment!!!! So right!!!??

Dan Vasser Nov 18, 2015 - 11:58 pm

Rob, you should ask question, but this may not be the place to get the correct answers. For instance much of the taxes we pay don’t go to the county. The county is just the collector and the county gets around 15 percent. So when you say “used correctly” you might want to clarify. ECCFD is getting exactly what it’s apportioned for but again don’t take my word, get your own answers from either the fire department itself or the tax collector (both are just a phone call away).
Local, California’s legislature says you can’t reallocate property taxes. If you don’t know that, you need to do some research. You just can’t make it up as you go along outside of this blog. Backing up each other’s bad information isn’t helping. Get the facts, this issue is far to important to brush off with Internet fodder. If not for your sake, then maybe for your family’s.

Late Tax Payers Rule Nov 30, 2015 - 7:54 pm

Nice solution for ECCFPD. I hope the Supervisor is not blowing smoke. While she is at it. How about all the revenue from late fees for late property taxes. Those late dollars should go to the Fire District too. We could call it the BM Late Tax Rule.

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