Goleta Farmers Angry Over Proposed Water Increase

KSBY (Video)

Some farmers in Goleta are up in arms over a proposed water increase.

The Goleta Water District has sent out notices to all their customers telling them in order to improve their aging water pipelines they're looking to pass a rate increase.

But, it's the agricultural land owners who said they will be the ones feeling the biggest pinch.

With more than 50 acres of agricultural land, it takes John Lane a lot of water to feed his Goleta crops.

"I have five different water meters and for me it's almost a $500 a month increase," said Lane Farms Owner, John Lane.

The Goleta Water District is proposing a fee hike that would more than quadruple the costs some customers pay for their meter fees.

Farmers and commercial property owners are the customers who will be the hardest hit if the increase is passed.

"The larger meters will essentially pay more the small meters, who will get a reduction or pay nothing at all," said Goleta Water Board Director Bert Bertrando.

Goleta Water Board Director Bert Bertrando said the increase has been a long time coming, ever since the Goleta Water Company began using state water 10 years ago.

"We should have transferred it to those rate holders a long time ago, we're doing it now," said Bertrando.

If the increase is passed, produce grower Matthew Logan has already calculated his bill will go up 125%. A hefty increase he said he doesn't think his customers are going to stand for.

"They can pass that along to their tenants and businesses but for farmers, people want cheap food," said Fairview Gardens Owner Matthew Logan.

The farmers we spoke with said they feel the increase would be easier to swallow if the water board were to spread it out over two to three years.

To soften the blow, Bert Betrando said they plan to give a $1,200 credit that customers can pay back over three years.

Here are the next steps.

• The first of two public hearings will be held Tuesday night at the Goleta Union School District office on Fairview Avenue.
• The second hearing will be held on July 9.
• A decision is expected to be made in July.