Report 2014-132 Recommendation 6 Responses
Report 2014-132: Apple Valley Area Water Rates: Differences in Costs Affect Water Utilities' Rates, and One Utility May Have Spent Millions of Ratepayer Funds Inappropriately (Release Date: April 2015)
Recommendation #6 To: Victorville Water District
To demonstrate to water customers how they are working to keep rates reasonable, the four water utilities should document their cost-saving efforts and quantify, to the extent possible, any specific cost savings achieved from their respective efforts.
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From December 2020
The Victorville Water District's response has not changed.
Victorville's water rates are adopted via appropriate public processes. Planned rate increases, which had been approved the voters, have been deferred at several public hearings over the past five years following significant public discussion, including detailed written staff reports. Not once has a single customer asked for additional documentation of cost saving efforts, only appreciation that the rates continue to stay low. Victorville has no intention of further quantifying cost-savings efforts and instead will put that energy and expense toward keeping rates low and responding to actual customer inquiries.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Will Not Implement
As we indicate on page 26 of our report, we found during our review that Victorville did determine the cost savings of its efforts. We are disappointed that Victorville states that it does not intend to be more transparent in how it keeps rates reasonable for its citizens.
1-Year Agency Response
Victorville did not submit a 1 year response.
- Estimated Completion Date:
- Response Date: May 2016
California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Will Not Implement
We contacted Victorville and it stated that it will not be changing its statement from the 60-day response. Please see its 60-day response and our assessment of that response below.
6-Month Agency Response
Victorville did not submit a 6-month response.
- Estimated Completion Date:
- Response Date: November 2015
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Will Not Implement
We contacted Victorville and it stated that it will not be changing its statement from the 60-day response. Please see its 60-day response and our assessment of that response below.
60-Day Agency Response
Victorville's water rates are adopted via appropriate public processes. Planned rate increases, which had been approved by the voters, have been deferred at several public hearings over the past five years following significant public discussion, including detailed written staff reports. Not once has a single customer asked for additional documentation of cost savings efforts, only appreciation that the rates are lower. Victorville has no intention of further quantifying cost-saving efforts and will instead put that energy and expense toward keeping rates low and responding to actual customer inquiries.
- Response Date: July 2015
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Will Not Implement
As we indicate on page 26 of our report, we found during our review that Victorville did determine the cost savings of its efforts. We are disappointed that Victorville states that it does not intend to be more transparent in how it keeps rates reasonable for its citizens.
All Recommendations in 2014-132
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.