Is being bigger always better?

By Michael A. Clohossey

There are some who would contend that Del Paso Manor Water District should simply merge with a larger district to take advantages of economies of scale and that would be better for the rate payers. I would contend that being bigger isn't always better and that the Del Paso Manor Water District is one example where local control and neighborhood involvement has proved exactly the opposite.

1. The mission of any Water District is to simply provide quality drinking water in a reliable and cost effective way. That's it. And this District has done that for more than 50 years! The cost of water to you, the rate payers, has been among the cheapest in the State throughout that time.

2. The Del Paso Manor Water District is one of the smallest of its kind in the whole USA, just about 1 square mile with around 1600 households and businesses. We employ a small and professional staff whose entire focus is on YOU. The 5 Boards members, of whom I am one, have a breadth of experience in water quality, engineering, communications, facility management, customer service and finance. The Board and Staff work well together, no political agendas or outside influences that distract us from achieving the mission you've elected us to do.

3. Recent increases in water bills are the result of the need to replace the aging infrastructure of the district. I helped develop a Master Plan in my recent 4 year term on the Board and we've already completed phase 1 of that 25 year plan. We didn't get bogged down in the inevitable delays that we are seeing in larger governmental units across the State and Country. With low interest rates for bond financing and engineering firms hungry for work the nimbleness of our small District has allowed us to take advantage the cost benefits of dong this work now. Yes, you as rate payers are seeing increased investment costs but consider them just that. Your money is an investment in your family's livelihood, property value and health that pay a return for the next 50 years.

4. Pride of local ownership and control outweighs the financial uncertainties of privatization or consolidation with larger Districts who presently charge a lot more for water. I would certainly consider alternatives if I saw that other District rate payers were getting more for their money. But, the fact of the matter is, they aren't. They are paying more for no better water. The argument that tax payers will save as the result of mergers or getting bigger just doesn't hold true for our District at this time and as an incumbent Board member I've helped create a plan that maintains that cost advantage into the foreseeable future.

As one of your incumbent Board Members, I hope you see why I believe strongly that remaining small can indeed be better for all of us.